Shingles is a disease that is also the same virus responsible for chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus) having had chicken pox in earlier years it appears the virus that courses shingles stays within the body without any complications that is until you get older when at a time you are stressed or taking medication that lowers the immune system even a condition that affects your immune system, such as HIV or AIDS

.It is not possible to catch shingles from someone or chickenpox if they have the condition but strangely you can catch chickenpox from a person who has shingles if you have not had it before so be aware. Although it is most common in people over age 50, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk.

The symptoms of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild to severe. Rashes or blisters appear anywhere from one to 14 days later. If shingles appears on your face, it may affect your vision or hearing.

The pain of shingles may last for weeks, months, or even years after the blisters have healed. A rash will soon appear forming blisters and the patient feels a lot of pain with a fever. An episode of shingles typically lasts around two to four weeks.

TREATMENT

Firstly try to cover the infected area with clothing or non stick dressing to minimize the risk of someone else contracting chickenpox. Taking pain killers would be helpful to ease the pain also a G P may recommend a course of antiviral medication in most cases shingles will last up to two to four weeks. Complications may occur when the immune system is low as in the elderly  in the form of severe nerve pain which can last for months  after the rash has gone.

The use of calamine lotion can help ease the itching Some creams that contain capsaicin  may be useful in reducing pain caused by shingles. Capsaicin is a pepper extract, and it has been used for centuries as a natural pain reliever these creams may make it less painful and easier to tolerate.

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