There are many things we are happy to have left behind in our youth; pimples, awkward first dates, and the measles. But some things do come back to haunt us when we are adults. One of those things is the adult version of chicken pox, better known as shingles.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
This viral infection causes a painful rash, and while shingles can occur anywhere on your body, it most often appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or the right side of your torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.
While it isn’t a life-threatening condition, shingles can be very painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles, while early treatment can help shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. There are also some home remedies that can help reduce the pain such as taking a cool bath or using cool, wet compresses on your blisters but anything you try should first be cleared by your medical professional.
The Mayo Clinic provides us with this information about the signs and symptoms of shingles. These usually affect only a small section of one side of your body and may include:
• Pain, burning, numbness or tingling
• A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
• Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
• Itching
Some people also experience:
• Fever and chills n General achiness
• Headache
• Fatigue
Pain is usually the first symptom of shingles. For some, it can be intense. Depending on the location of the pain, it can sometimes be mistaken for a symptom of problems affecting the heart, lungs or kidneys. Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash.
Contact your doctor promptly if you suspect shingles, but especially in the following situations:
• The pain and rash occur near an eye. If left untreated, this infection can lead to permanent eye damage.
• You’re 65 or older, which increases your risk of complications.
• You or someone in your family has a weakened immune system (due to cancer, medications, or chronic illness). • The rash is widespread and painful.
