Shingles is a very annoying pathology, with sudden onset, which can affect any part of the body at any age.
Although it is commonly called that, shingles actually consists of a rash caused by herpes zoster or from the varicella virus. It is the same that commonly causes chicken pox in childhood and that can also remain inactive in the nervous tissue and manifest itself in this way after several years.
It’s not a serious condition but it sure is very annoying, especially when it manifests itself in a very extensive form on several parts of the body.
Shingles: what it is and how it develops
90% of the Italian population has contracted the virususually in childhood, so at least 10% of these will also have a manifestation as an adult. Shingles is very painful, itches and can be extended. It usually appears only on one part of the body, typically the chest or abdomen, but it can appear anywhere on the body and last from two to four weeks.
What are the symptoms of shingles and how to behave (tantasalute.it)
When the children’s virus develops the body is defended by the immune system but the virus remains silent in the body, in the nerves. So it can reactivate at any time. This is not to say that surely everyone who had chicken pox as a child will later have shingles but that it is a possibility it is true. This usually happens when it occurs a lowering of the immune system due to stress, drugs, pathologies, excessive exposure to the sun or old age.
Il fire of saint Anthony poster is contagious. So those who come into direct contact with the vesicles can contract the disease. Infectious people, on the other hand, must remain isolated until the blisters have dried. Among the symptoms is found local pain, even excruciating burning, pain in the head, rash, blisters, chills and fever, general exhaustion.
A simple medical examination is needed to be able to certify with the naked eye that it is shingles. There’s not much you can do about the cure except wait for it to pass. In help may be useful gods antiviral drugs to shorten the course, painkillers and anti-inflammatories for pain and products to limit itching. In this period it is better to wear loose and fresh clothing, make compresses for the blisters and keep the skin clean. Rarely, a pathology called post herpetic neuralgia with manifestations that re-propose that annoyance even when the lesions have disappeared. In childhood it is possible to perform the vaccine to prevent the disease. It can also be done in adulthood and is recommended for those over 65 to improve the immune response.