Herpes Zoster Treatment

Herpes zoster that typically causes shingles is a viral infection and usually seen in people who have crossed 50. Shingles, as we all know is a red itchy rash made up of fluid filled blisters. The area where the rash develops causes painful, burning sensation. People who earlier suffered from chickenpox are the ones affected with shingles. This is because a single virus (varicella-zoster) is responsible for causing both chickenpox and shingles. The viral infection can also affect the nerves that pass through the skin. Usually, the area around the spinal cord and the abdominal section are the most common sites of herpes zoster rash that forms a long streak like pattern.

Although a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus is still present but inactive and so it does not cause any harm to the body. However, an impaired immune system as a result of certain diseases and medicines, can make the virus active again, leading to shingles. Are shingles contagious? Yes, of course! Physically touching the blisters is the mode of transmission of the virus to other people. The treatment for shingles will be discussed in the next paragraphs.

How to Treat Herpes Zoster

The primary aim of this treatment is to speed up healing as well prevent complications in shingles, commonly referred as postherpetic neuralgia. It is typically marked by sharp, burning sensation in the affected area of the skin. Long-lasting throbbing nerve pain even after the rash has vanished is the hallmark of postherpetic neuralgia. In this condition, the nerve fibers are damaged and hence, even touching the skin can cause severe pain. So, to avoid all these complications as well as shorten the time span of infections, following are the treatment methods that are usually undertaken.

Antiviral Drugs
The mainstay of treatment involves intake of drugs that are specifically formulated to fight the infection. Shingles being a viral infection, doctors often prescribe anti viral medicines. Antiviral drugs are designed to destroy the viruses, which helps to manage the symptoms effectively. Without medications, symptoms associated with shingles can be quite bothersome and difficult to tolerate. When a person affected with shingles is put on a dose of antivirals, not only he experiences relief from symptoms but allows him to get rid of the infection at the earliest. In simple words, the antiviral medications can play a very important role to minimize the duration of the infection. So, which are the antiviral agents used in the treatment of herpes zoster? It is given below:

• Famvir (Famciclovir)
• Valtrex (Valacyclovir)
• Zovirax (Acyclovir)

These antiviral agents are most effective when they are administered at the earliest. This antiviral treatment won't work if the medications are given a week after the herpes symptoms appear. As soon as the symptoms (rash) are visible, the antiviral course should start within 3 days, otherwise any delay would not help to relieve the discomfort.

Pain Relievers
As shingles is typically accompanied by moderate to severe pain at the site of rash formation, doctors also recommend certain painkillers (analgesics) and numbing agents. It is discussed below:

Lidocaine
This is a topical medication that helps to numb the area, which helps to reduce the pain and the burning sensation associated with shingles. This pain killing drug also comes in the form of topical patch, spray and gel, which is equally effective to decrease pain.

Oxycodone
Being an analgesic, oxycodone is extremely effective to reduce moderate to severe pain. People who experience acute pain arising from shingles have experienced substantial relief after taking oxycodone orally. So, if excruciating shingles pain is bothering you a lot, using oxycodone is the best option.

Skin Creams
Persistent itchy sensation that accompanies herpes zoster rash can be reduced considerably with anti-itching lotions like calamine lotion. Relieving skin irritation linked with shingles is possible with calamine lotion. Exposure to the sun should also be avoided to minimize irritation. Topical medicines like extra strength Zostrix HP cream may be prescribed to manage and even avoid post herpetic neuralgia pain that does not leave the patient for months after the rash has subsided.

Anticonvulsants
Nerve pain that occur in patients affected with shingles can be successfully treated with anticonvulsants like gabapentin. Postherpetic neuralgia patients also respond quite well to gabapentin.

This was all about herpes zoster symptoms and cure. Usually herpes zoster infection does not last for more than a month but if the pain continues to harass the patient, it is an indication of postherpetic neuralgia. On the whole, taking the treatment at the right time under the guidance of a qualified doctor will ensure that shingles will heal within a few weeks without causing any complications.