Other issues to consider
Shingles can also cause the following complications:
- Bacterial skin infections cause facial paralysis
- loss of hearing
- Hepatitis taste loss pneumonia ringing in the ears
- Vertigo is a type of dizziness that causes vision issues.
- Treatment
- To treat shingles, over-the-counter or prescription medications may be prescribed.
- It is critical to seek medical attention as soon as shingles symptoms appear.
The National Institute on Aging advises people to seek medical attention no later than three days after the rash begins. Early therapy can help lessen pain, speed up the healing of the rash, and reduce scarring.
When a doctor confirms shingles, the following therapies may be recommended:
Antiviral medications: These alleviate symptoms, hasten heal, and even avoid complications. Antiviral drugs are often recommended for 7 to 10 days. Among the options are:
- valacyclovir (Zovirax)
- acyclovir (Zovirax)
- famciclovir (Famvir) (Valtrex)
- Antiviral medications are most effective when used within three days after the rash’s appearance, but they can still be recommended within the first seven days.
- Antihistamines and pain relievers: Pain and skin irritation may be relieved by over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs. Among the options are:
- anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil), antihistamines for itching, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), corticosteroids or local anesthetics for severe pain, and numbing agents, such as lidocaine (Lidoderm)
- Ibuprofen, antihistamines, and lidocaine are among the pharmaceuticals purchased online.
- Antidepressants: Certain antidepressant medications are useful in lowering shingles pain and PHN symptoms.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are the most widely recommended medications for shingles pain, and they include:
- Amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) Antidepressants can take several weeks or months to work for nerve pain.
- Anticonvulsant drugs: Although they are normally used to treat epilepsy, several anticonvulsant medications have alleviated nerve pain. Again, it may take many weeks for them to take action. Anticonvulsants that are commonly recommended for shingles include:
- gabapentin (Neurontin)
- gabapentin (Lyrica)