Herpes zoster

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The rash from shingles usually disappears after 2-4 weeks, and in most cases the disease goes away on its own.

For some, however, treatment with antiviral drugs is recommended, which can shorten the time with symptoms if it is started early enough in the course. It is therefore important to contact a doctor if you suspect that you have contracted shingles, and this is particularly important if it spreads to the eye.

What is shingles (herpes zoster)?

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful skin infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles can in theory affect anyone who has previously had chickenpox, but the elderly are affected more often. Anyone who has a weakened immune system is also at extra risk of getting shingles. Of the unvaccinated population, approximately 30% will get shingles, and it is possible to be affected several times during a lifetime. Shingles is not contagious, but because the blisters contain the chickenpox virus, people who have not previously had chickenpox can be infected with the virus. The person will then get chickenpox, not shingles.

Cause of shingles

Everyone who has had chickenpox has the virus lying latent in nerve nodes near the spinal cord. Here it can lie for years without producing any symptoms. When you get older or if your immune system weakens, the virus can multiply and travel along the nerve to the skin. A painful inflammation will then form in the skin area associated with the specific nerve thread.

Symptoms and disease course of shingles

In the time before the rash breaks out, it is common to have symptoms such as headache, fever and reduced general condition. Later, in a limited area of ​​skin, either on the left or right half of the body, you will notice burning, itching, tingling, burning and pain. After approx. After 3-6 days, a rash with blisters will appear in the painful area. The blisters may eventually become filled with pus, before they burst and crusts form on the rash. Within 2-4 weeks, the crusts fall off, and scars or pigment changes may form.

The pain varies greatly from person to person, but it usually reaches its maximum after about 1 week. In most cases, the pain goes away on its own, but some get persistent pain for up to several months or years. This is called postherpetic neuralgia and the occurrence of this pain condition is 4 out of 10 in people over 60 years of age.

Treatment of shingles

It is important to keep the rash clean and dry so that there is no infection in the wounds. Feel free to lubricate the wound with ointment (for example Pyrisept or Bacimycin) and cover it with a bandage that does not stick to the wound. For pain relief, you can apply pain-relieving cream or ointment, such as Xylocaine ointment. Pain-relieving tablets containing paracetamol can also be used. Read the package insert carefully before use. Cooling with an ice pack or cold water can also be soothing. Always wash your hands well after touching the rash. Be aware that the fluid-filled blisters contain live virus and are contagious to those who have not had chickenpox.