Shingles

Shingles is a painful blistering rash caused by reactivation of varicella, the chickenpox virus. More than 1 of every 10 people who had chicken pox as children get shingles as adults, usually over age 60. The chicken pox virus remains dormant or inactive in nerve root cells of the body. Although painful, typically shingles isn't a serious condition. Sometimes, however, the rash can lead to a debilitating complication called postherpetic neuralgia. This condition causes the skin to remain painful and sensitive to touch for months or even years after the rash clears up. Shingles is more common and more severe in patients with poor immunity. Blisters can occur in more than one area and the virus may affect internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs and the brain. Chickenpox or shingles in the early months of pregnancy can harm the fetus, but luckily this is rare. The fetus may be infected by chickenpox in later pregnancy, and then devlop shingles as an infant. It may be set off by pressure on the nerve roots, by radiotherapy at the level of the affected nerve root, by spinal surgery, by an infection such as sinusitis or by an injury (not necessarily to the spine).

Shingles is another name for a condition called "herpes zoster." This same virus causes the childhood illness chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body. Anyone who has had the chickenpox infection or vaccine can get the herpes zoster virus that causes shingles. Some people have mostly itching; some feel pain from the gentlest touch or breeze. The most common location for shingles is a band, called a dermatome, spanning one side of the trunk around the waistline. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles. Shingles is also more common in people with weakened immune systems from HIV infection, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, transplant operations, and stress.

Causes of Shingles

The common Causes of Shingles :

Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the chicken-pox virus.
Cancer is also the main cause of shingles.
Injury of the skin where the rash occurs also adds to this disease.
Excess alcohol intake also cause shingles.
Medicines used after organ transplants also a factor in development of this disease.

Symptoms of Shingles

Some Symptoms of Shingles :

Blisters may occur in the case of shingles.
Headache.
Chills.
Nausea.
Upset stomach is also a symptom.
Fever .
A red rash with fluid-filled blisters that begins a few days after the pain.

Treatment of Shingles

Acyclovir has been used for many years as a treatment for shingles. It is effective for people with HIV . Intravenous acyclovir is used to treat serious outbreaks of shingles.
Calamine lotion may help to soothe the rash.
Famciclovir is one of the newest drugs to treat shingles. Famciclovir is actually the pill form of a topical cream called penciclovir .
Valacyclovir is a "pro-drug" of acyclovir. Unlike acyclovir, valacyclovir needs to be broken down by the body before its active ingredient-acyclovir-can begin controlling the disease.
Several creams, gels and sprays are beneficial and provide temporary relief from pain.

Nails Care

Anychia
Clawing of the Nails
Clubbing
Discoloration of the Nail Plate
Ingrowing Toe Nail
Koilonychia
Longitudinal Striations
Loss of Nail Plate
Onycholysis
Paronychia
Pitting of Nail Plates
Pterygium
Thickening of Nail Plate
Transverse Ridges

Disclaimer : All information on www.removeacne.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.