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What Do Shingles Blisters Look Like?
- Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus) - Treatment for an Acute Shingles Attack
- Highlights
- Introduction
- Risk Factors
- Complications
- Symptoms
- Diagnosis
Treatment for Shingles
The treatment goals for an acute attack of herpes zoster include:
- Reduce pain
- Reduce discomfort
- Hasten healing of blisters
- Prevent the disease from spreading
Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies are often effective in reducing the pain of an attack. Antiviral drugs (acyclovir and others), oral corticosteroids, or both are sometimes given to patients with severe symptoms, particularly if they are older and at risk for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
Home Treatments for Shingles
Applied...
Read moreMore information on "What Do Shingles Blisters Look Like?"
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From Our Sources
Shingles
Source: HealthCentral Encyclopedia
Article updated and reviewed by Cyrus Badshah, MD PhD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia... Read more »
Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Source: Harvard Decision Guide
Shingles can be difficult to diagnose before visible signs of the disease appear. Once a rash and blisters appear, your doctor probably will diagnose... Read more »
Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus): Complication...
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Symptoms of ChickenpoxThe time between exposure to the virus and eruption of symptoms is called the incubation period. For chickenpox, this period is... Read more »
Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus): Vaccination
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Both chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (zoster) can usually be diagnosed by symptoms alone. If a diagnosis is still unclear after a physical... Read more »
Shingles and Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus): Introduction...
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Shingles and chickenpox are both caused by a single virus of the herpes family, known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The word herpes is derived... Read more »
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