Shingles is a painful form of the varicella-zoster virus that can cause a rash, blistering, or post-herpetic neuralgia, which causes pain and skin sensitivity. Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, which lies dormant in the body after a chickenpox outbreak and may recur as shingles years later. While shingles symptoms can vary from mild to severe, treatments are available to reduce the painful symptoms as well as their duration.
Within Symptom Onset
While many viruses are not treatable with medications, shingles is treatable through several antiviral drugs that can prevent the virus in the body from shedding. When taken within 72 hours of symptom onset, these medications can reduce how long symptoms last as well as how severe the symptoms are, according to the Mayo Clinic. Antiviral medications effective in treating shingles include acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famiciclovir.
Another type of medications, known as nucleoside analogues, block the virus' ability to reproduce. Sufferers typically take the drug daily for a week, and symptom severity and duration is greatly reduced. Like other antivirals, these medications are most effective when taken within 72 hours of symptom onset.
Other Medications
If a patient does not seek treatment within the three-day window, he or she may wish to take a corticosteroid, which aims to reduce inflammation and pain. Such medications include prednisone and prednisolone, which also may speed healing in particularly severe outbreaks. These medications cannot be taken in combination with many antivirals, such as acyclovir.
Unlike antivirals, corticosteroids do not prevent future shingles outbreaks.
For Severe Pain
In patients with severe pain related to shingles who do not see relief from medications taken, epidural blocks may help to block nerve sensations that cause severe pain. Administering a block requires an injection of anesthetics and steroids into the area around the spinal cord. Once injected, these medications work to prevent the nerves from causing further pain, sometimes lasting as much as a month, according to the New York Times.
At-Home Treatments
In addition to medications, a shingles patient can use at-home remedies to improve symptoms. One solution includes taking a cool bath that can soothe blisters or painful sores. Cold compresses soaked in Burrow's solution, which can be found in most drugstores, also may reduce itching. A capsaicin-containing ointment also may reduce pain.
Other itching relief treatments include taking over-the-counter antihistamines, oatmeal baths, or calamine lotions. Under no circumstances should a person pop blisters, as this can cause infection and slow healing.
Pain relief can be found by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofren. If shingles pain is related to postherpetic neuralgia, these pain relievers may not prove effective. Opiod narcotics may be indicated in cases of severe pain.
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