Shingles is a viral infection that occurs when the chicken pox virus reactivates. This disease is usually in the form of painful but self-limiting skin lesions. Symptoms usually begin with pain along the affected dermatome, followed by vesicular lesions after 2-3 days. Classic physical findings include a cluster of painful herpetiform vesicles on an inflamed base.

Treatment:

Treatment includes antiviral drugs such as:

Acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir are prescribed within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Symptoms usually include pain and burning along 1 or more skin dermatomes lasting 1 to 10 days (average 48 hours), usually characterized by pain or itching or paresthesia. The pain is usually described as muscular or toothache in origin, but may mimic headache, heart pain, appendicitis or other intra-abdominal diseases or sciatica. This simulation can lead to false diagnoses. However, cutaneous distribution usually helps to clarify the diagnosis.

Pain in the affected area may remain for a long time or change in nature and intensity with the onset of other symptoms. Many patients describe the pain as burning, throbbing, or stabbing. The pain may be sharp, mild, constant, or rarely felt as another sensation such as itching. Possible involved area

It is sensitive to touch.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is usually limited to the area of primary skin involvement, can last for weeks, months, or years and is often severe.

The treatment should be started as soon as possible, otherwise there is a possibility of prolonging the pain.