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Medindia » Consumer Health » Health Information » Shingles - About Shingles

Shingles / Herpes Zoster/Post Herpetic Neuralgia/Chicken pox shingles

General info about Shingles
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Shingles' or 'Herpes Zoster' are painful skin rashes that appear usually on the side of the chest wall as a band. It is caused by reactivation of the dormant chicken pox virus- varicella zoster.


The word 'shingles' comes from the Latin word 'cingulum' meaning 'girdle'. This is due to a classical band of blisters encircling the side of the torso resembling a 'girdle'. Shingles can also affect other parts of the body such as the neck, face and scalp. The term 'herpes' comes from the Greek word meaning, 'to creep.'

Shingles is a secondary infection; a second outbreak of the 'chicken pox virus'. This means that shingles particularly affects those who have previously suffered an attack of chicken pox.

The condition is excruciatingly painful as it involves the nerves. It is difficult to diagnose in the early stage when pain is the only symptom.Once the one-sided rash and blisters appear, it is more readily identified as these rashes follow the distribution of a nerve branch.



It is not a life threatening condition, but shingles can produce such acute pain. A mere touch may cause the pain, which may last for several months even after the rashes have disappeared. The condition is then called 'post herpatic neuralgia'

Shingles is an infectious disease and hence the afflicted person may pass on the virus to any individual who has not had an attack of chicken pox. These individuals may develop full-blown chicken pox, instead of shingles.

Pregnant women and new -borns also belong to the high-risk category. The disease cannot be passed on to anyone who has already had an attack of chicken pox and in whom the immune system is in a healthy state.

It is primarily a disease of the elderly, but it can occasionally affect young individuals as well.

Early treatment with anti-viral medication reduces pain and the associated complications.

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Member Comments (11)
Posted by: Barbo Posted on: 6/8/2010
I am 75 and have been battling Shingles for about 8 weeks....I took Valtrex and am on Lyrica....The spots are pretty well healed but the pain under my left rib cage, diaphram, and back is unreal....it is almost like it has gone inside and under. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciataed....Thanx, Barbo
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Posted by: carmen475 Posted on: 5/22/2010
The medicines for shingles are Acyclovir, Famciclovir and Valtrex. The doctor prescribed Valtrex. He asked me to apply it topically with cotton and oxygen peroxide twice daily and leave it for 2 hours.

I have also got an anti-inflammatory plant (Yerva mora) Solanum nigrum ?Black nightshade which proved effective. First place the leaves in a cotton role and powder it. Then mix it with peroxide and apply it on the affected area for 2 hours twice a day. I supported the cotton with a little bag made of rolled gauze. I put a plastic piece above it to avoid stain to my clothes. In 3 days I got rid of the marks.
Basil leaves with peroxide can also prove to be a cheap and wonderful medicine. It helps to bring down the pain and stops shingles from advancing. Apple cider vinegar can also be used similarly to get rid of shingles in less than a month.

Take Vitamins E sometimes, and B complex liquid or sub lingual for a week. Shingles will soon get cured. However just be careful to avoid contamination by allowing anyone to touch the affected area. The Internet would give you all information regarding the contamination period. In addition be careful while handling food. However do not use the fruits of Black nightshade, but only use it topically.

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Posted by: Meave Posted on: 3/9/2010
I had Shingles just before Christmas 2009.
Nothing too bad, I thought I was let off lightly.
Just now I am wondering if I am getting it again.
I found this site and it answered my question of is it possible.
Yes.
But does that mean on the same site as before?
This time I think it might be coming out directly on the opposite site of where it was before (rib cage).
I am 47 and also have Palindromic Rheumatism.
Anyone with answers?
Thanks in advance, Mirjam
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Posted by: littlegurl747 Posted on: 11/22/2009
im 19 can i get shingles? i think i may have it! AHHHH!
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Posted by: gestry Posted on: 10/12/2009
I used to have had severe attacks when I was in my 20's, usually when under stress.
I have used folic acid for years. It stops the shingles attack quickly, but you still have to heal the sores. The best method is to take a 400mg supplement to prevent the attacks.
I have friends who have used folic acid to help prevent genital herpes attacks with success.
Folic acid is inexpensive (about $5 for a 9 month supply) by it self, but it is best taken in a "balanced" B vitamin complex.

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janette

1/16/2010

My 88 year old mother has a bad attack at the moment and we cannot find anything to help the pain. What dose of folic acid do you suggest please
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Posted by: christine58 Posted on: 9/6/2009
1999 had Guillain-Barre syndrome which left me with lowered immune system. 2 years ago was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica & have had 8 bouts of shingles since.. on my buttock.I am told this is made worse by the prednisone I take for the PMA.Any comments from anyone with similar experiences would be welcome.I am 58, female.
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Posted by: Michael54 Posted on: 8/31/2009
I underwent treatment for Hepatitis C -interferon +ribavarin. Is there any indication that this treatment can compromise the immune system as I have had several attacks of Shingles since the treatment ended.
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jo

10/23/2009

hi michael, i have been through the same experiance i am having a bad attack at the moment these are happening more often and stress and illness brings them on. as my treatment was 3 years ago and did not work,my shingles is getting worse. it took 6 months and loads of testing to find out what it was. i thought i was going crazy.i was given tablets which made me ill so i stoped taking them. i am going to try different ones as my life seems to be put on hold every 2 months for 2-3 at a time. so your answer is yes but you might have to push for treatment. jo
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Posted by: desperate Posted on: 8/19/2009
i am 39 years i have been getting singles more frequent than usually especially every time i getting a shot in my spine or a nerve test i had a doctor tell me that it is not cause of those things than y am i getting them every time i get it done can some one explain cause this particular doctor just cant help me
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Posted by: medquest Posted on: 8/6/2009
I am a 63 year old male who had chicken pox as child. I was exposed recently to a child with chicken pox, am I a risk of getting shingles due to this exposure?
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Posted by: gambhir66 Posted on: 6/13/2009
I hv recently suffered from herpes. In addition to medication I also took AEROBIC OXYGEN 60 drops per day, Dr Xeniji and IG6 capsules. I did not suffer from any pain & restless. I recovered within a week. Any body can discusswith me.
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DP

7/19/2009

Thanks. I have Shingles and taken VALTRIX, Perdisone, pain killers and eye drops. In 10 days to two weeks all dired out. I felt week, tired but for few days feeling much better. Questoion why did I felt tired, weak ?
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jeanne

9/5/2009

where do I find these things? I've been sick for over a month - taking b12 shots, didn't have much rash but the pain is terrible
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John

11/28/2009

I have very small outbreak of rashes but pain in right buttock and down my leg has been terrible too. taking Lyrica for a month and "may" be subsiding.Going to Dr. again to see if an increase in dose will help
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