Page 35 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: INFECTIOUS DISEASES 33

Shingles

Shingles is caused by reactivation of the chicken pox virus, which lies
dormant in anyone who has had chicken pox. It begins with pain or
tingling in an area of skin on one side of your body or face, followed
by a rash of small, fluid-filled blisters. You may also have a headache
and fever. The blisters scab over and heal within a few weeks, but
the area may be painful for months afterward. Shingles is more
common in later life. Stress, ill health, or sunlight can trigger an
attack, but you can’t catch shingles from contact with chicken pox. Shingles rash

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Arrange to see your doctor to confirm that
you have shingles. See your doctor urgently Analgesics will relieve fever as well as pain.
if shingles has developed close to an eye. Use acetaminophen (see p.177), aspirin (see p.179),
or ibuprofen (see p.185). Ask your pharmacist for
advice on which product to use.
What you can do yourself

Use these home treatments to make yourself feel
better while you get over an attack of shingles. NATURAL REMEDIES
● Rest as much as you can to speed your recovery.
Baking soda (see p.179) can also help
● While you have a fever, drink plenty of fluids. reduce itching. Add 4 tablespoons (about one cup)
to a bath two-thirds full.
● Take an analgesic to relieve pain, headache, and
Oatmeal products (see p.187) are
fever (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). A cold compress
soothing for itchy, blistered skin. Add oatmeal oil
(a cloth soaked in ice-cold water) may help relieve
to your bath or use the lotion instead of soap.
pain and tingling in your skin.
● If you have blisters on your body, take lukewarm
baths 2–3 times a day. Add baking soda (sodium
bicarbonate) or use an oatmeal product (see PREVENTION
NATURAL REMEDIES, right) to soothe your skin. Wash
any blisters on your face gently with soap and water. Preventing attacks If you are susceptible
to shingles, try the following measures:
● Until all the blisters are dry, avoid skin-to-skin
● If you are prone to stress (a trigger for an attack
contact with anyone who has not had chicken pox,
of shingles), try using deep breathing exercises and
because they could catch the virus from you.
muscle relaxation techniques to help you relax (see
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES, pp.20–21).
● Be careful to protect your skin from strong sunlight
Seek further medical advice (see PREVENTION: SAFETY IN THE SUN, p.47).
Arrange to see your doctor again if:
● Your blisters become pus-filled and spread
● You develop severe headaches or vomiting
● Analgesics do not control the pain, or pain
persists after the blisters have cleared