Shingles is not usually serious, but you should see your GP as soon as possible if you recognise the symptoms. Early treatment may help reduce the severity of your symptoms and the risk of developing complications.
Can dermatologist cure shingles?
Your dermatology provider can diagnose shingles, and help you to effectively treat it. Treatments include pain relief and antiviral medications such as acyclovir or valacyclovir. Although there is no cure for shingles, we can help to reduce your pain, and mitigate the length of time you are affected by the virus.
Can a general practitioner treat shingles?
In many cases, a primary care physician — such as a family doctor — can manage shingles care. However, some people who have shingles may develop complications that require more specialized attention. A primary care doctor will often provide referrals to specialty physicians when necessary.
What can be mistaken for shingles?
cellulitis. chickenpox. herpes simplex. impetigo. folliculitis. irritant contact dermatitis. insect bites. mucosal candidiasis, or oral thrush.
Should you see a doctor about shingles Related Questions
Will shingles go away if not treated?
Shingles affects about 1 out of 100 people in this older age group, the CDC says. Generally, a case of shingles rash resolves within 3 to 4 weeks. It can resolve without treatment, but antiviral treatment can shorten both the duration and severity of the rash.
Can shingles mean something more serious?
Shingles can lead to some serious problems. If it appears on your face, it can affect your hearing and vision. It may cause lasting eye damage or blindness. After the rash fades, the pain may linger for months or years, especially in older people.
What causes shingles to activate?
Shingles is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in their body. The virus can reactivate later, causing shingles. Most people who develop shingles have only one episode during their lifetime.
Can sunlight help shingles?
You should avoid prolonged sun exposure if you have shingles because: The area of skin affected by the shingles rash is already tender and fragile, so excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, such as sunshine, can further damage that skin.
What natural skin remedies for shingles?
Essential oils. Share on Pinterest Essential oils can help with skin irritation and healing. Cold compresses. Holding cool cloths or compresses against the rash site may assist in relieving itchiness and reducing inflammation. Witch hazel. Cool baths. Oat baths. Gentiana scabra. Diet. Vitamin supplements.
How do you know if you have internal shingles?
Because the condition’s characteristic rash is not apparent in internal shingles, doctors rely on testing to confirm the presence of the virus. If your doctor suspects you have internal shingles, they’ll use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) saliva test to check for the presence of viral DNA.
What is the best painkiller for shingles?
Doctors have a variety of choices to treat shingles pain. Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are often used. More severe cases might call for use of Tylenol with codeine or oxycodone.
What is the blood test for shingles?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most useful test for confirming cases of suspected zoster sine herpete (herpes zoster-type pain that occurs without a rash). PCR can be used to detect VZV DNA rapidly and sensitively, and is now widely available.
What does a bad case of shingles look like?
What Does the Shingles Rash Look Like? The shingles rash can be a distinctive cluster of fluid-filled blisters — often in a band around one side of the waist. This explains the term “shingles,” which comes from the Latin word for belt. The next most common location is on one side of the forehead or around one eye.
How long does it take for shingles to go away?
It produces a painful rash on one side of the body, usually around the side of the abdomen. Shingles can last for weeks to months.
Does shingles spread to other parts of the body?
Most adults only get shingles once in their life. In very rare cases, the blisters spread to nearby areas of skin or even over the whole body. This may happen if the immune system is very weak, for instance due to a serious disease like cancer or AIDS. Under those circumstances, shingles can be life-threatening.
Will antibiotics help shingles?
Antibiotics may be prescribed if a bacterial skin infection develops as a result of the shingles rash. If no bacterial infection is present, antibiotics will not help with shingles.
What aggravates shingles?
Foods that have been found to exacerbate the shingles virus should be avoided where possible. The worst culprits contain the amino acid arginine that actually stimulate the herpes virus to replicate, such as, nuts, seeds, soy products, oats, coconut, flour (white and whole-wheat), and alas, chocolate.
What day is worse with shingles?
Typically, shingles is most painful within 4-5 days of the onset of symptoms and the blistering rash and then it can begin to dissipate as the blisters scab over, which can take 7-10 days (and longer to clear).
What are the red flags of shingles?
Signs and symptoms Malaise, headache and myalgia, with pain or itching of the affected dermatome, precede erythema and appearance of vesicles and pustules. Localised muscle weakness and allodynia may develop. The rash resolves in two to three weeks with scarring and altered pigmentation.
How do you stop shingles from happening?
When you are older, get the shingles vaccine. It is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older. It can prevent shingles. People who have had shingles should get the vaccine to help stop the disease from reoccurring.