Understanding Shingles: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Shingles is an infection that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. This disease causes a painful rash and can affect people later in life who had chickenpox during childhood. Shingles can be controlled with medication.

Skin Effects

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the skin effects of shingles often include pain, burning or tingling, and the development of a red rash. The skin may itch, and fluid-filled blisters may form, break open and crust over.

Other Symptoms

• A shingles infection may also include fever, chills and aching. Headaches and fatigue are possible with this disease.

Complications

• Shingles patients may develop postherpetic neuralgia, a painful skin condition that results from nerve damage. Other neurological problems may occur, such as hearing or balance problems, facial paralysis or brain inflammation.

Risk Factors

• People over the age of 50 have an increased likelihood of getting shingles. People with weakened immune systems, including AIDS and cancer patients, are more susceptible to a shingles infection .

Treatments

• Shingles pain can be reduced and infections can heal more quickly with antiviral medications such as valacyclovir. Narcotics or tricyclic antidepressants may be prescribed to lessen the pain of shingles.