HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Treatment For Mild Case Of Shingles

Yes hello - I have a mild case of shingles which appeared 13 days ago. I have the burning, stabbing pain and small rash on my rib cage and back on my left side. I also had a slight fever for one week. I have been feeling much better. However, tonight I arrived home from work and the area on my front left rib cage is red and puffy. Appears to be an infection under the skin surrounding the actual rash. It s inflamed, sore and itchy. I treated the area with tea tree oil last week and used homeopathic remedies for reducing the shingles. Is it possible to get a skin infection from the shingles? I am otherwise healthy and 60 years old.
Fri, 23 Dec 2016
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi there

Yes it is possible to develop a secondary bacterial infection from shingles.
Shingles is caused by a virus, if you pick at or scratch the blistered lesions, you can introduce bacteria and develop an infection.

To treat the shingles you require an antiviral eg aciclovir tablets or valaciclovir
For the pain you can use a drug that helps with neuropathic pain eg tegretol or lyrica
You would need to visit your doctor to assess if the skin has a secondary bacterial infection, in which case you would need antibiotics eg flucloxacillin

Hope this helps.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Treatment For Mild Case Of Shingles

Hi there Yes it is possible to develop a secondary bacterial infection from shingles. Shingles is caused by a virus, if you pick at or scratch the blistered lesions, you can introduce bacteria and develop an infection. To treat the shingles you require an antiviral eg aciclovir tablets or valaciclovir For the pain you can use a drug that helps with neuropathic pain eg tegretol or lyrica You would need to visit your doctor to assess if the skin has a secondary bacterial infection, in which case you would need antibiotics eg flucloxacillin Hope this helps.