San Pedro Physicians Treat Patients with Shingles
- Posted on: Mar 20 2017
After a patient gets chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body and shingles occur after the virus becomes active again. Why the virus becomes active again is unclear but many patients, who are over the age of 60, have had chickenpox before the age of 1 or have a weakened immune system tend to be more susceptible.
Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash due to the varicella-zoster virus which is the virus that causes chickenpox. The onset of symptoms usually is one-sided pain, tingling, or burning. Pain can be severe and usually appears before a patient sees a rash and then blisters follow. Rashes appear in a narrow area of the spine, the belly and chest. In other cases, the rash may appear on the face, eyes, ears and mouth.
Additional symptoms can include:
· Flu-like symptoms like fever and chills
· Vision, taste and hearing problems
· Headache and joint pain
· Drooping eyelids
· Loss of facial movement
· Genital lesions
· Swollen glands
Shingles typically disappears on its’ own. Pain medication can help make patients more comfortable, antihistamines help minimize itching and anti-inflammatories can reduce swelling. Other drugs may be indicated and patients should see their Primary Care Physician immediately.
Shingles usually dissipates in 2 to 3 weeks and rarely reoccurs, however, pain in the area where the shingles occurred can last from months to years.
If you or a loved one is suffering from shingles, PrimeMedical in San Pedro can see you for an immediate consultation. Call our office today at 310-548-0201.
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