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Suggest Remedy For Shingles In An Elderly Person
My 90 year old mother has a bad case of the shingles. She had the shot 2 years ago but still got it. She blistered but it doesn't seem to be oozing. But, she has a bad oder . She keeps herself clean and showers often. She does put aloe gel on the rash to help it to dry and heal. How can we get rid of the smell?
Tue, 29 Dec 2015
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Shingles is an infection caused by the virus varicella-zoster.
It is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Even after chickenpox is treated, the virus may live in your nerve tissues for years before reactivating as shingles.
Age above 60 years is one of the risk factor associated with its occurrence. Also, immune status of an individual is also associated with its occurrence.
There is no cure for shingles, but medication prescribed is to ease symptoms and shorten the length of the infection.
Medications prescribed for shingles may include:
1. antiviral medications like acyclovir or valcyclovir to reduce pain and speed recovery
2. anti-inflammation drugs like ibuprofen to ease pain and swelling
3. narcotic analgesics in case there is severe pain
4. antihistamines such as Benadryl to treat itching
5. numbing creams or gels such as lidocaine to reduce pain
6. Multivitamin and mineral capsules to improve immunity and promote healing of lesions.
Smell will be there for some time till all the lesions become dry and fall out. Take care that it doesn't get infected by cleaning it with mild antiseptic solution and keeping the wound clean and dry.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Shingles is an infection caused by the virus varicella-zoster.
It is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Even after chickenpox is treated, the virus may live in your nerve tissues for years before reactivating as shingles.
Age above 60 years is one of the risk factor associated with its occurrence. Also, immune status of an individual is also associated with its occurrence.
There is no cure for shingles, but medication prescribed is to ease symptoms and shorten the length of the infection.
Medications prescribed for shingles may include:
1. antiviral medications like acyclovir or valcyclovir to reduce pain and speed recovery
2. anti-inflammation drugs like ibuprofen to ease pain and swelling
3. narcotic analgesics in case there is severe pain
4. antihistamines such as Benadryl to treat itching
5. numbing creams or gels such as lidocaine to reduce pain
6. Multivitamin and mineral capsules to improve immunity and promote healing of lesions.
Smell will be there for some time till all the lesions become dry and fall out. Take care that it doesn't get infected by cleaning it with mild antiseptic solution and keeping the wound clean and dry.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
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