Shingle is a type of itchy rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. Dr. Jay Mehta and his team of dermatologists regularly treat shingles, which can develop anywhere on the body. Shingles are not a life-threatening disease, but they can be excruciatingly painful. Our skilled and experienced team can properly treat your shingles and reduce the chance of recurrence. Contact our office in Surprise, Arizona, near Phoenix, now.
What Are the Symptoms of Shingles?
Early shingles symptoms may include:
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Headache.
- Feeling tired.
- Light sensitivity
- Stomach upset.
Other indications and symptoms that arise a few days after the initial ones include:
- Itching, tingling, or burning sensation in a specific area of the skin.
- Skin redness in the afflicted area.
- A little region of skin has developed a raised rash.
- Blisters that are fluid-filled and scab over.
- Mild to severe pain in the affected skin area.
What Is the Treatment for Shingles?
There is no cure for shingles, although antiviral medication can help reduce symptoms and avoid complications. Consult our doctor as soon as symptoms appear for a prescription for antiviral medications. Treatment should begin within three days of the appearance of the shingles outbreak.
You can assist in managing the disease by doing several things. Among them are the following.
- Try to maintain the rash dry and clean.
- If possible, cover the rash to prevent the virus from spreading to others. Make use of a non-stick dressing. Antibiotic creams and sticking plasters should not be used on blisters since they may impede the healing process.
- Avoid scratching the rash. Scratching the blisters may result in infection and scars.
- After a bath or shower, pat yourself dry gently with a clean towel. Do not rub or scratch oneself with the towel, and do not exchange towels.
- Wear loose cotton clothing around the afflicted areas of the body.
- Applying lotions or gels to open blisters is not advised since it may raise the risk of secondary bacterial infection.
- Avoid contact with persons who are more vulnerable, such as pregnant women who aren’t immune to chickenpox, people with weakened immune systems, and babies under one month old.
- Do not share towels, participate in contact sports, or swim. Wash your hands frequently.
If you’ve noticed any of the visible or painful symptoms of shingles, please contact Arizona Skin at (623) 259-4372 or visit 11340 W Bell Rd Suite #127, Surprise, AZ 85378 to book an appointment for a comprehensive skin checkup.