Chicken Pox 2.0
Maybe you can’t catch chicken pox twice, but the itch and burn can return. Shingles is a painful skin rash, born from the same virus that causes chicken pox. The bad news? It’s back. The good news? You’ve dealt with it once before, you can do it again.
After you’ve had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus becomes inactive in the nerve tissues near your spinal cord and brain. If the virus should reactivate later in life, it’s referred to as shingles. Shingles is most common in older people, but can be triggered by stress or other factors that lead to a weakened immune system.
Much like chickenpox, signs and symptoms include pain and burning, a red rash and fluid filled blisters that can break open. Unlike chickenpox, symptoms of shingles usually affect only a small section of one side of your body. You should contact one of our expert dermatologists as soon as you realize you may be experiencing signs of Shingles. As is true in most cases, early detection and treatment will have you feeling better sooner.
Prescription antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. Because shingles can cause severe pain, your doctor may prescribe numbing agents or medications that contain narcotics. Home remedies that may alleviate symptoms include taking a cool bath or using wet compresses on blisters to relieve itching and pain.
If you have any questions about shingles and treatment options, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.
