Shingles: a Painful Infection

If you have ever had the chicken pox then you can get Shingles. Shingles, also known as Herpes Zoster, is simply a reactivation of the Varicella Virus. Shingles characteristically appear as vesicles or blisters that in most cases I have seen appearing around the waist, lower back and sides first. If you have ever seen shingles they are more easily recognized the second time, and since they are caused by a dormant virus they can reoccur.

Acute, or severe pain is one of the defining characteristics. People whom I have cared for with shingles will tell you how painful it is. Early intervention may help reduce some of the nerve pain later on. Antiviral medications like Zovirax, or Valtrex are often given. Early intervention may even assist in the healing of lesions faster. You may even experience pain after the lesions are healed.

My Aunt suffered from shingles last year. She started having a headache, and light sensitivity. She could not stand to wash dishes at her kitchen window when the sun was shining. When she started having pain in her lower back, sides, and left arm she decided she was coming down with the flu. Resting and taking acetaminophen did not help her body aches. Within a few days what appeared to be a whip lash of a rash appeared around her sides and lower back. In most patients I have cared for the same type of rash has appeared around the waist and back, and the person is normally under great stress. The pain she was experiencing became worse. "It felt like nerve pain from the inside out. It burned and felt numb. It made the simplest task hard to complete especially after the rash appeared under my left arm." I have heard a person affected by shingles refer to the pin as "pins and needles." After a quick doctors visit and diagnosis of Shingles she was placed on pain medication.

She was very lucky. Sometimes shingles break out around the eyes, nose, and forehead. A blistering rash in the facial area requires prompt attention because it can damage your vision. I have never seen anyone with shingles on the face.