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[T1305]Treatment For Herpes Zoster

by Juliet Cohen, Jul

Herpes zoster also known as shingles, is the reactivation of varicella zoster virus, or VZV. It is a same virus that causes chickenpox. Herpes zoster manifests as a vesicular rash, usually in a single dermatome. Development of the rash may be preceded by paresthesias or pain along the involved dermatome. Ocular involvement and zoster keratitis may result if reactivation occurs along the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve.Approximately 95% of adults in the United States have antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus. Herpes zoster can cause several problems with the eye and surrounding skin that may have long term effects. Inflammation and scarring of the cornea, along with conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva) and iritis (inflammation of the iris) are typical problems.

Incidence of herpes zoster increases with age. Approximately 80% of cases occur in persons older than 20 years. Shingles may be complicated by a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia. This is persistence of pain in the area where the shingles occurred that may last from months to years following the initial episode. Herpes zoster may be associated with a secondary bacterial infection (typically streptococcal or staphylococcal) of the vesicular rash. Herpes zoster involving the second branch of the trigeminal nerve may be associated with conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal ulceration, iridocyclitis, glaucoma, and blindness. Herpes zoster causes a wide range of problems affecting the skin and the eye. They range in severity depending on the extent of the outbreak.

Some problems listed occur indirectly from the inflammation caused by the disease. Herpes zoster is treated with anti-viral, pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Eye drops and ointments may be prescribed to treat ocular problems. Cimetidine, a common component of over-the-counter heartburn medication. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may occasionally be used to reduce inflammation and risk of post-herpetic neuralgia. They have been shown to be most effective in the elderly population. Cool wet compresses can be used to reduce pain. Soothing baths and lotions, such as colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or lotions and calamine lotion, may help to relieve itching and discomfort. Avoid contact with the skin lesions of persons with known herpes zoster infection.

Herpes Zoster Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Vaccine may prevent shingles or lessen its effects.

2. Cool wet compresses can be used to reduce pain.

3. Pain medicines(antihistamines ) mild to strong, may be needed to control pain.

4. Herpes zoster is treated with anti-viral, pain and anti-inflammatory medications.

5. Avoid contact with the skin lesions of persons with known herpes zoster infection.

6. Cimetidine medication, has been shown to lessen the severity of herpes zoster outbreaks in several different instances.

What is Shingles - Herpes Zoster: Shingles (known also as Herpes Zoster) is a very sore, rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It affects a limited area of the body and skin. Not only can it be very painful but it can also make you feel weak, tired and many even cause severe depression.

What causes Shingles - Herpes Zoster: You can only get shingles if you have previously had chickenpox. After having chickenpox the virus lies dormant in the nerves, and shingles occurs when it is revitalised in one particular nerve to the skin, this explains the way it affects a certain band or area of the skin. Many times the outbreak is caused by a decrease in your body's natural resistance or a weakness to the immune system. Most people who get shingles are more than 49 years old.

Shingles - Herpes Zoster - Symptoms: Usualy the first symptom of shingles is often over-sensitivity or a burning sensation on the skin in the affected area. After a few days, a rash develops. It usually appears as a band or path, following the route of a nerve under the skin. At first, the rash consists of small red spots and reddened skin in the same area. The spots then turn into small blisters, which dry up after a few days, and gradually form scabs. Shingles is often a very painful condition, since it affects the nerves, the pain may continue after the rash has cleared, sometimes lingering for months or years.

Shingles - Herpes Zoster - Treatment: Shingles is most often treated with acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir (also named: Valtrex). Your doctor will decide which of these medicines might work the best for you. Most of the medications work better if they are started within the first couple of days after you get the shingles rash. Often a doctor will also prescribe a steroid medicine to reduce the pain and swelling. If you get Shingles of the eye it is often treated with antiviral medicines and steroids.

Shingles - Herpes Zoster - Prevention: There is a study under way for a vaccine to prevent shingles, called the 'Shingles Prevention Study'. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is asking for volunteers for the study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Interested people should call for more information: Toll-Free 1-877-841-6251

There is a website that provides cures, facts and other great information on Shingles - Herpes Zoster and numerous medical conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and can be found at this url:

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Both Juliet Cohen & Robert Benjamin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Juliet Cohen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Skin Cream, Alternative Medicine and Abdominal. Juliet Cohen writes articles for and