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How To Cure Shingles?
the outside of my right arm has been hurting and has rash -- it has now formed on my left arm and on my side -- i went by a drug store yesterday and the pharmacist said she thought it was shingles -- what should i do -- and how can i tell if it really is shingles?
Tue, 22 Apr 2014
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic.
Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of Herpes Zoster Virus. Herpes zoster presents as eruption of painful grouped vesicular/fluid filled lesions, usually arranged in a stripe like patter, with a sharp cut off at the midline. There is associated pain and burning sensation.
Treatment is oral antivirals like acyclovir 800mg 5 times a day for 7 days, which is usually sufficient. Treatment can be extended for 2-3 more days if needed.
I also advice in my patients of herpes zoster to apply a topical antibacterial ointment e.g 2% mupirocin twice daily, so as to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
The appearance of shingles is sufficiently characteristic to be diagnosed on clinical examination. Therefore I would suggest that you visit a nearby dermatologist for a confirmatory diagnosis
regards
Shingles or herpes zoster is caused by reactivation of Herpes Zoster Virus. Herpes zoster presents as eruption of painful grouped vesicular/fluid filled lesions, usually arranged in a stripe like patter, with a sharp cut off at the midline. There is associated pain and burning sensation.
Treatment is oral antivirals like acyclovir 800mg 5 times a day for 7 days, which is usually sufficient. Treatment can be extended for 2-3 more days if needed.
I also advice in my patients of herpes zoster to apply a topical antibacterial ointment e.g 2% mupirocin twice daily, so as to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
The appearance of shingles is sufficiently characteristic to be diagnosed on clinical examination. Therefore I would suggest that you visit a nearby dermatologist for a confirmatory diagnosis
regards
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