The Definition of Shingles
If you’ve never suffered from shingles before, you may not know what the disease is. Shingles, which is properly called Herpes zoster, is basically the adult form of chicken pox. You could say that shingles is the reactivation of chicken pox in adults. Unlike the rash children get, however, shingles only affects a small part of the skin.
The symptoms of shingles include a rash that follows a particular nerves path, right to its end. As a rule, the nerves are found in the face, scalp, neck or body.
Usually, shingles only affects those over 50; it is rare for younger adults to suffer from the symptoms of shingles. As with chicken pox, most people only get shingles once. In the unlikely event of another outbreak, the disease normally manifests in the same spot.
There are some other symptoms besides the rash. Facial shingles normally affect the eyes and nose. Go to your doctor straight away if you get shingles on the face as this can cause blindness.
During the rash, you may get the same symptoms children get when the catch chicken pox. The early stages including fever, discomfort, headache, upset stomach, and an itching or burning around the area where the rash will appear. The affected area may also start hurting a few days prior to the rash appearing. Sometimes a rash may not appear at all.
If you do break out, you will notice a line of red spots in the middle of a swollen area|A line of reddish spots appear at the centre of the swollen region|The center of the swollen area may have a line of red spots}. The spots will blister and, if popped, will ooze clear fluid. Eventually, these blisters will tend to develop a crust. They may also bleed, itch, and hurt. Once the rash vanishes, some people still experience pain around the area.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this article is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it beused for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice.