Treatment For Shingles Pain

Once a doctor confirms shingles they may suggest the following treatments.

Treatment for shingles pain.

The pain of shingles is for many people quite striking in its severity. Shingles also known as herpes zoster results from a reactivation of infection with the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox anyone who has had chickenpox may develop shingles later in life although it is most common in older people. Shingles a viral infection of the nerve roots affects 1 million people in the u s each year. If you have shingles symptoms get treatment now and you may avoid permanent nerve pain.

Learn about treatment options from a pain management specialist. Shingles can appear many years after the initial chickenpox infection. While antiviral medication is an effective treatment for shingles it s not the only option. The pain from shingles usually occurs in the nerves of the chest or the neck face or lower back.

Acyclovir zovirax valacyclovir valtrex shingles can cause severe pain so your doctor also may prescribe. Roughly 30 to 60 of people over age 60 who get shingles go on to develop a chronic pain syndrome called post herpetic neuralgia. Early treatment can limit pain help the rash heal quicker and may reduce scarring. When the rash goes away the pain usually goes.

The virus travels down nerve fibers to cause a painful skin rash. Shingles is characterized by pain or a tingling sensation in a limited area on one side of the face or torso followed by a red rash with small fluid filled blisters. This pain called postherpetic neuralgia can last for months or years and become quite severe. There s no cure for shingles but prompt treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications.

About 10 to 15 of people who get shingles develop postherpetic neuralgia. After the shingles rash has disappeared you might continue to have nerve pain in that same area. Capsaicin topical patch qutenza. Shingles causes a painful rash that can be accompanied by fever fatigue and sensitivity to light.