Are Shingles Itchy?

Almost every one of us have contracted chickenpox at some point of time in our life but not everyone is lucky enough to elude the dormant virus again springing back to life in the form of shingles. For people who are not aware of what these shingles are, here you go! Shingles is a viral infection caused by varicella zoster virus (which is also responsible for chickenpox). In people who have also suffered chickenpox, this virus takes an inactive state and resides in the nerve tissue near the spinal cord and brain. If the immune system stands compromised, this quiescent virus attacks in the form of shingles. The symptoms of shingles start with a red rash (which can be quite itchy) that later develops into fluid filled blisters near the breastbone, spine and waist..

Treatment for Itchy Shingles

The virus varicella zoster can easily spread through a spurt of the blister, by a mere physical contact. Secondly, a person having shingles might experience severe itching, tingling pain in chest and a crust of red rash over the body. Aged people experience fever, chills, headache and fatigue as well. However, this skin problem is more common in people who have had chickenpox and have a weakened immune system and in people who are aged above 50 (as the risk factor of contracting this disease increases with age).

Complications arise, if shingles affect eyes and nose. In a few severe cases, shingles can scar the cornea causing a condition known as zoster keratitis (shingles in the eye), which eventually results in vision loss. In rare cases, shingles can also be asymptomatic, i.e without a shingles rash and such a condition is termed as zoster sine herpete. It is followed by a searing pain in chest and back. Rashes that develops in shingles starts off as a series of red spots which gradually squirt out as blisters. These blisters are filled with a clear fluid, which over a period of time turn brownish in color. With time, these blisters burst and dry out. It is during this time, severe itching and pain can be felt.

Drugs and Medications
To palliate the pain and itching, there are a few medication tips listed here. Scroll through!

• Antiviral drugs like acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir are prescribed for treatment of shingles, to palliate the inflammation and itching caused by the blisters. These drugs stall the multiplication of this dormant turned active virus, thereby protecting the affected nerves. These medications are supposed to be taken within 72 hours of the first attack.
• Prescription drugs like oxycodone, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants and lidocaine(a pain numbing cream) are given to the patient to relieve the pain and itching caused by shingles in acute state.
• In cases, where there is an acute shingles attack, the patient even after being cured, might suffer post shingles pain, also known as postherpetic neuralgia. Here the pain and itching is caused by a chain of amino acids (often referred to as substance P), which is released by a damaged nerve fiber. To treat such conditions, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or indomethacin and local anesthetic agents (like lidocaine) are used with prilocaine. Antiseizure drugs (like carbamazepine) along with antidepressant (like amitriptyline) are also prescribed. The purpose of these shingles pain relief medications is to suppress the secretion of this substance P, to reduce the itching and pain caused by the affected nerves.
• Anti itching creams also come as a great relief to this trouble. Calamine lotion is the most easily available one and can be applied several times a day. Then there is Burrow Solution (contains about 5%% aluminum acetate solution), which has proved quite effective in suppressing the urge to itch. It is usually applied as a wet dressing for an hour (4-6 times a day). Capsaicin and lidocaine creams are also available over the counter, which can reduce the itching considerably. Capsaicin cream incites a tingling sensation by stimulating the affected nerve to release excess substance P. Hence, be cautious when using it, as excess usage can deplete the substance P reserves in the affected nerve.
• For people who are affected with zoster keratitis, can use vidarabine. It can be applied to the lower conjunctiva 5 times a day to get improved results.

Home Remedies
Besides, there are some effective home remedies too which can help one curb the desire to itch.

• Mix aspirin with 2 tablespoons of chloroform or alcohol and apply it to the affected area and the itching will stop gradually. One can also dab the crusts with cotton swabs soaked in hydrogen peroxide, or one can use dust colloidal powder too, to assuage the pain.
• A mixture of aloe vera gel, honey and leek juice is one of the best home remedies that can provide amazing relief to the affected area. Or a cold compress of baking soda and water will just serve the purpose aright!
• To curb the eruption of more blisters, one can apply a potion of yogurt and zinc oxide along the affected nerve. An instant relief is felt. And if there is apple cider vinegar at home, nothing like that. All you need is a solution of this vinegar with vitamin E oil and cool goldenseal or mugwort and the itching sensation will be subdued.

So follow these tips and get rid of the shingles which can lead to serious complications if not taken care of, on time. One of the important precautions for shingles is keeping oneself cool and dry and avoiding humid places, as humid places are breeding grounds for virus and bacteria. Also avoid food like chocolates, nuts, seeds and cereal grains. Consuming pears or drinking pear juice help in boosting up the immune system, as they are packed with antiviral caffeic acid. Also, people infected with shingles must keep away from children and pregnant women. Last but not the least, do not forget to take vaccine, which will prevent any recurrence (should it happen in near future). Shingles are not a life-threatening disease but can culminate into one, if not treated on time.