Herpes Zoster, frequently referred to as Shingles, is a viral disease that presents as a distressing skin rash with blisters, usually manifesting in a band-like pattern on one side of the body. This condition is instigated by the Varicella-Zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. If you've contracted chickenpox, the virus can stay dormant in nerve tissues for years, and even decades, and reactivate later to cause Herpes Zoster. Typical symptoms involve discomfort, itching, and a burning feeling before the rash's appearance, which may be accompanied by fever, headache, and exhaustion.
A dermatologist, specifically our dermatologists in Wooster, Ohio, can provide essential assistance in managing this disease. They can accurately identify the condition by examining the rash and discuss the most suitable treatment alternatives for you. Prompt consultation with a dermatologist can aid in controlling the symptoms, most notably the intense pain related to Shingles, and prevent potential complications such as postherpetic neuralgia, a condition that can induce incapacitating pain long after the rash has disappeared. Dermatologists may also coordinate treatments including antiviral medicines to battle the virus and diminish the severity and duration of the illness, corticosteroids to aid in reducing inflammation, and various pain control strategies.
THE TREATMENTS BELOW CAN HELP WITH HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES):
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