Shingles
 Shingles disease is a viral infection that results in a painful rash. Often referred to as herpes zoster, shingles typically forms as a band of blisters that run from the middle of the back to one side of the chest or breastbone. Shingles rash may also appear on the face, scalp, or neck.
According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is not a life-threatening condition. However, the red rash associated with shingles disease (see pictures of shingles) can be extremely painful. Other symptoms of shingles include fever, chills, headache, abdominal pain, and fluid-filled blisters. Shingles disease is caused by a second eruption of the chickenpox virus, varicella-zoster. Anyone who has had chickenpox runs the risk of developing shingles. This is because the virus hides within the nervous system and can be dormant for years. If the virus reactivates, it travels along the nervous system, which is why the rash appears from the middle of the back and wraps around the body. Initially a shingles outbreak can be hard to detect. The skin may experience significant pain before the rash appears. Only your doctor can properly diagnose and treat you for shingles. If you are diagnosed with shingles disease, your physician may opt for any of the three treatment options: - Corticosteroids for inflammation relief
- Narcotics for pain relief
- Antiviral medication
To learn more about shingles disease, click on the ‘Request a Consult’ button to connect with a KoolDoc who can provide you with treatment options specific to your condition. KoolDocs.com provides online doctor consultations an online doctor consultation as well as a doctors excuse for work or school. For an online doctor, call KoolDocs.com today at 1-800-378-0086. |
