Shingles is a skin disease or skin infection caused by a virus 

Shingles is a skin disease or skin infection caused by a virus 

That lives in nerves system. It is also referred to as herpes zoster. It occurs when the dormant tissue like chickenpox virus, varicella zoster is reactivated in nerve tissue.

This infection will appear in a form of red skin rash, tingling, itching, localized pain and burning sensation. Blistering rash may appear on one side of the body but not for all people. Typically appearance or blister can be seen on the torso, neck or face. Shingles usually last from two to four weeks and happens to have complete recovery after that. 

Doctors are able to diagnose shingles just from the appearance of the rash. Rarely occurs more than once in the same person, but it may develop approximately 1 in 3 people during their lifetime. However, it may vary from one individual to another where it may reactivate multiple times.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SHINGLES?

Early symptoms include fever, chills and general weakness like deep pain, burning, itching and tingling sensation. Red rash and patches may form a few days later. During early stages shingles is not contagious to whom that suffered from it and others. Pink or red patches may be noticed on one side of the body along nerve pathways. 

Other symptoms that may appear include:

Fluid-filled Blister – Develop from สมัคร ufabet กับเรา รับโบนัสทันที rash which is similar to the blister from chickenpox. It may be accompanied by itchy and continues to develop for several days. However, the blister only appears at the localised area and not spread out over the whole body.

Scabbing and crusting – It starts to develop once the blisters start to flatten and dry out. Each blister will take around one to two weeks to completely crust over. The risk of virus spreading is low once the blister is completely crusted.

The shingles belt – It appears like belt or half belt formation around the rib cage and waist. It is easily recognised and commonly covers wide area on one side of the midsection.

Ophthalmic shingles – It affects the ophthalmic nerve that controls facial sensation and movement in the face. The appear around the eyes, forehead, and nose which usually accompanied by headache. Redness and swelling of the eye, inflammation on the cornea or iris and drooping eyelids will show up as the symptoms. It may also cause temporary and permanent loss of vision.

Infection – Bacterial infection may happen from the blister. Proper care by keeping the area clean and avoid scratching may lower the possibility of secondary infection. Proper and early treatment helps in preventing the bacteria from spreading and scarring to happen.

Shingles can’t be passed from one individual to another.  But chickenpox virus in children sometimes can spread to someone who has never had chickenpox before. In this situation, the person may get infected from chickenpox, not. An infection may only spread through direct contact with fluid from blisters and not from coughing or sneezing. It is less contagious compared to the chicken pox.

CAUSES OF SHINGLES

Main cause that trigger is varicella-zoster virus that dormant behind both chickenpox. It can live inside the human body for years without causing or showing any symptoms. The varicella-zoster belongs to a group of viruses called herpes viruses which is why also known as herpes zoster. Their ability to hide in nerves system makes them remains almost indefinitely and reactivates or awakens under certain conditions.

There are  no proven facts how can occur, but experts have come with several possible triggers that may reactivate the virus including:

•       Older age- Around 50 years old and above
•       Diseases that lower the body defences- Cancer, HIV or AIDS
•       Cancer treatment- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
•       Excessive stress or physical trauma
•       Immunosuppressive drugs
•       Chickenpox – during infants or inherited during late in pregnancy