Whenever people have chest pain, low back pain, back pain, headache, often think of going to the internal medicine, surgery, neurology and other related departments to seek medical advice, however, in many cases, it is actually shingles.

Herpes zoster, commonly known as "snake disc sore" and "string waist dragon", is often accompanied by severe pain such as knife cutting, electric burning, and whipping. Today we will learn about this disease!

1. What is shingles?

Shingles is caused by an infection with the varicella-zoster virus. As the name suggests, this virus can also cause chickenpox.

Shingles usually occurs on one side of the body and can occur on the head, face, chest, abdomen, and extremities. May have fatigue, low fever, chills, skin itching, pain and other symptoms. Erythema, pellet-sized papules, and clustered blisters appear in subsequent days. It may be accompanied by severe pain.

2. Who gets shingles easily?

The elderly are susceptible to shingles due to factors such as decreased resistance and underlying diseases, and are more likely to have postherpetic neuralgia.

In addition, people who are nervous, tired, have tumors, and use immunosuppressive drugs are the high incidence of shingles.

 

3. Is shingles contagious?

   Shingles contains a virus in its blister fluid, so it is theoretically contagious.

   Children with immature immune systems can become infected with the virus and develop chickenpox. Elderly people with weakened immune systems or other immune system conditions can also become infected.

 

4. How long does it take to get over shingles?

The entire course of shingles is usually 2-3 weeks, and the blisters can dry up and form scabs in 7 to 10 days. The course of the disease is slightly longer in the elderly, and the neuralgia caused by shingles is more intense for the elderly. Intractable neuralgia persists one month after the lesion subside, which is called posthumous neuralgia. The older you are, the higher your risk of developing posthumous neuralgia.

 

5. How to treat shingles?

Shingles requires antiviral treatment to be started as early as possible to shorten the duration of shingle-related pain. At the same time, it can be combined with neurotrophic drugs and analgesic drugs. Depending on the condition, the doctor will also appropriately use glucocorticoids, immune enhancers, and topical anti-bacterial infection drugs such as fusidic acid cream. Medium wave ultraviolet, infrared, He-Ne laser and other physiotherapy also have a good effect on relieving symptoms. At the same time, we should pay attention to rest, strengthen nutrition, and supplement high-protein and high-vitamin foods.

 

The incidence of shingles is very high. The older you are, the more likely you are to get shingles, and anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. Once "hit", do not panic, in time to the regular hospital for further treatment on it.

 

Author: Liu Wei, Department of Dermatology, First Hospital of Jilin University

(The opinions expressed are solely those of the author. Some pictures in this article are from the Internet, if there is infringement, please contact to delete)