Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Dealing with an attack
• Method 2 of 2: Dealing with the complications of shingles
• Tips

Shingles is an infection that shows up on the skin and can cause a blistering rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. If you've ever had chicken pox, you are prone to getting shingles later in life. Shingles cannot be cured, but it can be treated with medication and regular care from your doctor.

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Method 1 of 2: Dealing with an attack

1. Recognize the symptoms. An attack starts with pain, itching, a burning and numb feeling and / or tingling that bother you for 1 to 5 days. Then you get a rash. In people with normal immune systems, this rash usually appears as a single, distinct stripe on one side of the body or on the face. Some people with weakened immune systems can get the rash all over their body.
   • Other symptoms include fever, headache, chills, photosensitivity, sensitivity to touch, fatigue, and upset stomach.
   • The rash will cause blisters to form and scab over within 7 to 10 days. Shingles lasts between 2 and 6 weeks.
2. Get immediate medical attention. If you develop a rash, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. It's best to see a doctor within 3 days (and sooner if the rash is on your face). The doctor can make a diagnosis and prepare a treatment plan. Prompt treatment will allow the blisters to dry more quickly and may reduce pain.
   • Shingles can be treated at home. You probably won't have to stay in the hospital.
   • Most people get shingles once, but it is possible to get it 2 or 3 more times.
3. Try home remedies. When you have an attack, you should wear loose-fitting clothes made of natural fabrics, sleep a lot and eat a healthy diet. You can also try taking an oatmeal bath or using calamine lotion to soothe your skin.
   • Try to wear silk or cotton clothing instead of wool or acrylic.
   • You can grind a hand or add colloidal oatmeal to your bath to soothe your skin. You can also buy oatmeal bath products to put in your bath.
   • Apply calamine lotion after taking a bath. Do this while your skin is still damp.
4. Reduce stress. Stress can make your shingles more painful. Try to do things that distract you from the pain. For example, do things you enjoy like reading, listening to music, or talking to friends or family. Stress can also trigger a seizure, so do what you can to avoid stress.
   • Meditation and deep breathing exercises can help you reduce the stress of a shingles attack. These exercises can also reduce your pain.
   • You can meditate by silently repeating a soothing thought or word so that you are not distracted by your thoughts.
   • You can also try guided meditation where you focus in your mind on an image or place that you find relaxing. When visualizing the place you also have to think about the smells, images and sounds. It will help if someone else walks you through the visualization process.
   • Tai chi and yoga are other methods of reducing stress. Both methods combine certain postures with deep breathing exercises.
5. Take antiviral drugs. Your doctor will likely prescribe valacyclovir (Zelitrex), acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (generic), or a similar medicine to treat your shingles. Use the medications according to your doctor's and pharmacist's instructions and ask them about possible side effects or interactions with other medications you are taking.
   • You need to use these drugs as soon as possible for them to work effectively. This is why you should see your doctor as soon as possible if you develop a rash.
6. Take painkillers. During a shingles attack, you only experience pain for a short time, but the pain can be intense. Depending on how much pain you are in and your medical history, your doctor may prescribe a drug containing codeine or a long-term pain control such as an anti-seizure drug.
   • Your doctor may also prescribe a narcotic medicine such as lidocaine. You can apply this as a cream, gel, spray or a plaster on the skin.
   • Your doctor may also give you an injection of corticosteroids or a topical anesthetic to control your pain.
   • A prescription cream containing capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, can also help control the pain when applying it to the rash.
7. Keep your skin cool and clean. Take a cold bath regularly when you have a shingles attack or hold a cold compress against the blisters and blisters. Keep them clean with cool water and a mild soap to avoid further irritation or infection.
   • Wash yourself with a mild soap, such as Dove, Oil or Olaz or Neutral.
   • You can mix two teaspoons of salt with a quart of cold water and use a washcloth to apply the solution to your blisters or rashes. This medicine will help relieve the itching that is bothering you.

Method 2 of 2: Dealing with the complications of shingles

1. Recognize post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). One in five people with shingles will develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). You may have PHN if you have severe pain in the same area as the shingles rash. PHN can last for weeks or months. Some people can suffer from symptoms for years.
   • The older you are, the more likely you are to get PHN.
   • If it hurts when something touches your skin (e.g. clothes, the wind, or people), then you may have PHN.
   • If you wait too long to seek medical attention, you are more likely to develop PHN.
2. Watch for complications. PHN is the most common complication, but other complications such as pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or death can also occur. Other possible complications include scarring, a bacterial skin infection and muscle weakness in certain areas.
3. Get medical attention. If you think you have PHN or other shingles complications, see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to develop a treatment plan to manage your complications. Your treatment plan will focus on coping with your chronic pain.
   • Your treatment plan may include topical agents such as lidocaine, pain relievers such as oxycodone, anti-epileptics such as gabapentin (Neurontin) or pregabalin (Lyrica), or psychosocial interventions.
   • Many people can become depressed or develop other mental health problems when they suffer from chronic pain. Your doctor can prescribe you antidepressants or recommend cognitive behavioral therapy. The cognitive behavioral therapy you undergo may include relaxation techniques or hypnosis. Both of these techniques are effective in dealing with chronic pain.
4. Get vaccinated against shingles. If you are 60 or older, you should get vaccinated against shingles. Even if you've had shingles before, you should still get vaccinated. The vaccine is only available on prescription through the general practitioner, the GGD or a vaccination center.
   • The shingles vaccine is not reimbursed by health insurance companies because it is not included in a general vaccination program.
   • You should wait to get a vaccination until your rash has gone. Talk to your doctor about the best time for you to get vaccinated.
5. Take care of your overall health. Living with shingles means that anything can trigger an attack, including stress, reduced immunity, a poor diet and fatigue. Getting vaccinated is the only way to prevent shingles, but making sure you are in good general health can help prevent another attack and improve your recovery from shingles.
   • Have a balanced diet and eat enough vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
   • Exercise regularly and get a good night's sleep.

Tips

• Seek support from other people living with shingles. It is estimated that one in five people in the Netherlands will ever suffer from shingles. Every year, an average of 500 per 100,000 people go to the doctor because they have shingles. In about half of the cases, it concerns people who are 60 years of age or older. Search the Internet or local newspapers for support groups near you.
• Do not scratch your blisters or your skin during an attack. This will only intensify the pain and make your shingles worse.
• Avoid people who have never had chickenpox or who have not been vaccinated against chickenpox. Shingles is not contagious, but during an attack you can infect children and adults who have never been exposed to or vaccinated against the varicella virus with chicken pox.