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Easy Shingles Appointment

Book your shingles treatment online in just a few clicks! Our simple process connects you with expert doctors for fast, reliable care from the comfort of your home. Don’t wait to get the help you need today.

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Personalised Shingles Treatment

Our shingles treatment online service offers tailored care to ease your symptoms and speed up recovery. From antiviral medications to pain relief strategies, we provide solutions designed just for you.

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Ongoing Support

We’re here to support you throughout your shingles treatment journey. With online follow-ups and expert advice, our service ensures you stay on track and recover faster without leaving your home.

What Is Shingles?

Shingles is a that causes a painful, burning rash on the skin. The varicella-zoster virus triggers it, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays inactive in their body, hiding in the nervous system. Years later, it can reactivate as shingles, often during stress or when the immune system is weakened.

 

Shingles usually appear as a stripe or band of blisters on one side of the body, often on the torso, neck, or face. The rash may look different depending on your skin tone. It can appear red, pink, brown, grayish, or purple. The bumps typically turn into fluid-filled blisters, which dry out and crust over within 7–10 days.

 

While most cases of shingles clear up in 3–5 weeks, the condition can be harrowing. For some, the pain may continue even after the rash disappears. This lingering pain is called postherpetic neuralgia.

 

Shingles is pretty common, with one in three people likely to experience it in their lifetime. It cannot be spread directly to others, but the virus can cause chickenpox in someone who has never had it. Early treatment can help reduce symptoms and complications, so prompt medical attention is essential.

Shingles Symptoms

Shingles symptoms often start with early warning signs before a rash appears. Recognising these symptoms early can help you get prompt treatment and reduce the risk of complications.

Early Symptoms

  • Burning, tingling, or itching sensation in a specific skin area.

  • Sensitivity to light.

  • Headache.

  • Feeling tired or unwell.

  • Fever and chills.

  • Stomach upset.

Rash Symptoms

A few days after the early symptoms, a rash typically appears. It usually develops on one side of the body, following a nerve path (dermatome).

  • Redness and painful bumps on the affected area.

  • Fluid-filled blisters that eventually burst and crust over.

  • Itchy or painful blisters that may last 10 days to 2 weeks.

  • The rash often appears on the chest, back, face, abdomen, or pelvis.

Shingles can cause mild to severe pain in the affected area, which may persist even after the rash has healed. This lingering pain is called postherpetic neuralgia.

If you notice these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Early treatment can help manage the condition, ease discomfort, and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Shingles Causes

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus doesn’t go away completely. Instead, it stays inactive in your body, hiding in nerve tissues near your brain and spinal cord.

Years later, the virus can "wake up" and travel along nerves to your skin, causing shingles. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens to some people but not others.

Who Is At Risk For Shingles?

Certain things make it more likely for the virus to reactivate, such as:

  • Weakened Immune System: The virus can become active again if your immune system isn’t robust.

  • Getting Older: Shingles is more common in people over 50 because the immune system weakens with age.

  • Stress: High levels of stress may increase the chances of shingles.

  • Severe Illness Or Surgery: Recovering from major surgery or cancer treatments can weaken your body and trigger the virus.

Not everyone with chickenpox will get shingles, but keeping your immune system strong and managing stress can lower the risk. If you think you have shingles, see a doctor quickly for treatment.

Shingles Treatment

While shingles are not cured, early treatment can help manage symptoms, speed up recovery, and reduce the risk of complications like postherpetic neuralgia. Treatment should begin within 72 hours of the first signs of shingles.

Medications For Shingles

  • Antiviral Drugs: These are the most effective medications for shingles, helping to reduce pain, speed up healing, and lower the chance of long-term nerve pain:

    • Acyclovir (Zovirax)

    • Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

    • Famciclovir (Famvir)

  • Pain Relief: Pain from shingles can range from mild to severe. Treatment options include:

    • Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).

    • Prescription medications such as codeine or anticonvulsants like gabapentin (Neurontin).

    • Topical treatments like lidocaine patches or capsaicin cream to numb the pain.

    • Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline for chronic nerve pain.

  • Anti-Itch Medications: Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can help reduce itching.

  • Anti-inflammatory Medications: In cases where shingles affect the eyes or facial areas, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs like prednisone.

Home Remedies For Shingles

  • Take cool baths or showers to soothe irritated skin.

  • Apply wet compresses to reduce itching and pain.

  • Use calamine lotion or make a baking soda paste to ease discomfort.

  • Eat foods rich in vitamins A, B12, C, and E to boost healing.

  • Consider L-lysine supplements to strengthen your immune system.

Most people recover from shingles within 3–5 weeks, but in some cases, the virus can return, particularly in those with weakened immune systems. Early treatment and consistent care can significantly improve recovery and comfort.

Shingles Prevention

While shingles cannot always be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Vaccinating and maintaining a healthy immune system is the most effective way to protect yourself.

Vaccination

  • Shingrix Vaccine: Recommended for adults aged 50 and older, Shingrix significantly reduces the risk of developing shingles and its complications. It is given in two doses, typically 2–6 months apart.

  • Zostavax Vaccine: An older shingles vaccine, less commonly used now due to Shingrix’s higher effectiveness.

Avoid Triggers

If you’ve already had chickenpox, the virus remains dormant. Stress, illness, and weakened immunity can trigger shingles, so taking care of your overall health is vital.

Tips For Prevention

  • Boost Your Immune System: Eat a balanced diet, stay active, and get enough sleep to keep your body strong.

  • Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.

  • Stay Healthy: Avoid contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles if your immune system is weak.

  • Vaccinate Against Chickenpox: If you haven’t had chickenpox, the vaccine can prevent the initial infection and the possibility of developing shingles later.

Taking these precautions, especially getting vaccinated, can significantly lower your risk of shingles and its complications. Talk to your doctor about the best prevention options for you. Mobi Doctor can help you manage shingles with personalised online consultations. Our doctors provide expert care to ease symptoms and prevent complications, from early diagnosis to tailored treatment plans.

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