Herpes Shingles
| Discussion in 'All Categories' started by Agnes Jones - Dec 6th, 2011 6:26 pm. | |
Agnes Jones
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My brother suffering from herpes from 7 months, externally he is okay but has a lot of pain with tightness of muscles, what should we do ? |
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re: Herpes Shingles
by Dr M K Gupta -
Dec 9th, 2011
11:27 am
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Dr M K Gupta
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Dear Jones Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering skin rash due to the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. The pain sometime last many months. The first symptom is generally one-sided pain, tingling, or burning. The pain sensation and burning might be severe and is usually present before any rash appears. Red patches on the skin, then small blisters, form in many people. The blisters break, forming small ulcers that start to dry and form crusts. The crusts fall off by 50 percent to 3 weeks. Scarring is rare. The rash usually involves a narrow area in the spine around to the front of the belly area or chest. The rash may involve face, eyes, mouth, and ears. Additional symptoms may include: Abdominal pain Chills Difficulty moving some of the muscles in the face Drooping eyelid (ptosis) Fever and chills General ill-feeling Genital lesions Headache Hearing problems Joint pain Loss of eye motion Swollen glands (lymph nodes) Taste problems Vision problems Your doctor may suggest a medicine that fights herpes, called an antiviral. The drug helps reduce pain and complications and shorten the course of the disease. Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir can be utilized. The medications ought to be started within 24 hours of feeling burning sensation or pain, and preferably prior to the blisters appear. The medicine is usually succumbed pill form, in doses often greater than those recommended for herpes simplex or herpes. Many people may need to receive the medicine via a vein (by IV). Strong anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids, for example prednisone, enables you to reduce swelling and the risk of continued pain. These drugs do not work in all patients. Other medicines may include: Antihistamines to reduce itching (taken orally or put on the skin) Pain medicines Zostrix, a cream containing capsaicin (an extract of pepper) that may lessen the chance of postherpetic neuralgia Cool wet compresses can be used to reduce pain. Soothing baths and lotions, for example colloidal oatmeal bath, starch baths, or calamine lotion, might help to relieve itching and discomfort. Your case is post herpes pain so with the time it will subside. Sometime Carbamazepine (CBZ) is helpful. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, as well as trigeminal neuralgia. It is also used off-label for a variety of indications, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, phantom limb syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, neuromyotonia, intermittent explosive disorder, borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. With regards M.K Gupta |