SHINGLES & THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Shingles is a common disease, but many people still either take it lightly or mistake it with other skin infections.

 

Shingles is an acute skin infection caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which is the same strain of the virus causing chicken pox. After you recover from chickenpox, the virus can enter your nervous system and lie dormant for years. When exposed to favorable conditions such as immunodeficiency, asthenia, mental trauma..., it may reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to your skin, producing shingles. 

 

Shingles is characterized by signs of a red skin rash that causes pain and burning. The pain is usually typical on one side of the body and appears small patches, followed by a red rash. Rash manifestations include:

Some people have other signs and symptoms besides pain and rash. These symptoms may include: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness.

Some other rare or dangerous complications include: pain or rash related to eyes, hearing loss or one ear pain, dizziness, loss of taste, red and swollen skin, etc.

 

In addition to a weak immune system, other typical factors that can affect your susceptibility include:

Most cases of shingles can be diagnosed through physical examination. Shingles is not dangerous, but if left untreated, it can lead to complications. Severe illnesses will affect the spinal cord cells and disrupt the skin's signal transmission function.

 

When you see new or uncontrollable symptoms of pain or itching, seek medical attention for timely treatment. Patients should take prescribed medications and follow the doctor's instructions.