Shingles is a virus that lies dormant in most people, but can erupt during weakened immunity or anxiety, causing pain and blisters in a line or wedge shape on one side of the body. Symptoms include headache, fever, and fatigue, followed by aching, tingling, and a bumpy rash. Blisters develop on the skin along a nerve, filling with pus and weeping, before eventually healing. It is important to keep the skin clean and dry to prevent bacterial infection. See a doctor if the rash is near sensitive areas, as it can cause permanent damage.
Shingles, the common name for the varicella zoster virus, is introduced into our system along with chicken pox. Most people carry this virus and it lies dormant; but for 10 to 20 percent of the population, it erupts during weakened immunity or heightened anxiety. Shingles causes mild to severe pain, some flu-like symptoms, and most notably, blisters in a line or wedge-shaped on only one side of the body. Most shingles outbreaks subside in two to three weeks.
The first signs of shingles, on days one to four, are headache, stomach pain, fever, chills, and fatigue, similar to a cold or the flu. By the third to fourth day, a certain part of the body will begin to ache, tingle, or hurt, with tender, sensitive skin accompanied by redness or a bumpy rash. This could occur on your face, torso, back and hips, or even your neck, arms and legs. Around day five, blisters develop on the skin along a nerve, which is why the shape of the rash is always a stripe, line, or triangle. The nerve brings pain to the affected area, ranging from a dull ache to intense, stabbing spasms. At this point, a doctor can usually make a correct diagnosis.
From here, the blisters get worse over the next week, filling with pus and weeping. At this stage it is important to keep the skin clean and dry, including applying compresses and wrapping the area in bandages to prevent a bacterial infection. Soon, ten days to two weeks into shingles, the blisters will drain and crust over as they begin to heal. The pain will continue during this time, gradually easing as the scabs diminish. Longer and more severe breakouts, especially in those with severely reduced immunity such as AIDS patients, could cause swollen lymph nodes and an ongoing cycle of blisters, developing postherpetic neuralgia.
While shingles usually has to run its course, you should see a doctor right away if the rash breaks out near your eyes, ears, mouth, or nose. These extremely sensitive areas can suffer permanent damage if not treated early, even resulting in temporary or permanent blindness. A doctor can prescribe antiviral and antibacterial medications to make the bout as mild as possible.
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