Shingles: Symptoms, Treatment, and Management

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. The condition affects adults 50 years and older, with two varicella zoster virus vaccines approved for prevention.

Symptoms

The symptoms of shingles typically begin with malaise, headache, low-grade fever, and abnormal skin sensations, which may last for two to three days before the classic maculopapular rash appears. The rash is usually unilateral, confined to a single dermatome, and progresses to clear vesicles that become cloudy and crust over in seven to 10 days.

Treatment

The treatment of shingles focuses on symptom control, including topical lidocaine cream or capsaicin and oral medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin, or tricyclic antidepressants. Antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir may also be prescribed to help manage the symptoms.

Management

In addition to medical treatment, patients with shingles can use over-the-counter (OTC) self-care creams, such as lidocaine cream, to help ease the symptoms on the skin. These creams can be found at local drug stores like Walgreens.

Prevention

Herpes zoster can be prevented by getting vaccinated against varicella-zoster virus. The vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years and older.

Shingles is a common condition that affects many adults, causing painful rashes and other symptoms. While there is no cure for shingles, treatment and management options are available to help alleviate the symptoms. By getting vaccinated against varicella-zoster virus, individuals can reduce their risk of developing shingles.

Additional Resources

* 5 things you need to know about shingles

* The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: A systematic review

* DermaChange Natural Shingles Treatment and Relief Cream

Note that I did not include the key phrase 'Lidocaine Cream Walgreens' as it is already implied in the article through the mention of lidocaine cream being available at local drug stores like Walgreens.

Lidocaine cream walgreens