Belt of Fire Shingles : Strange Management

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that results in a painful rash often referred to as a “belt of fire” due to the burning sensation it causes.

It’s caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissues, potentially reactivating later in life as shingles.

Are Shingles and Herpes Zoster the Same?

Yes, shingles and herpes zoster are the same condition. The term "shingles" is commonly used in everyday language, while "herpes zoster" is the medical term.

Both refer to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, leading to painful rashes typically on one side of the body.

What Causes Shingles in Adults?

Shingles occur when the varicella-zoster virus reactivates, usually due to a weakened immune system.

Common triggers include aging, stress, and underlying health conditions such as diabetes or cancer.

People over 50 years old are more likely to experience shingles, though it can affect anyone who has had chickenpox.

How Long Can Shingles Last?

Shingles symptoms generally last 2 to 4 weeks. The initial phase, characterized by pain, itching, or tingling, begins a few days before the rash appears.

The rash itself typically heals within 7 to 10 days, but full recovery from skin symptoms can take up to 4 weeks. Some individuals

experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a nerve pain that may persist for months or even years after the rash has healed.

Is Shingles Dangerous?

For most people, shingles is not life-threatening, but it can cause severe discomfort.

In some cases, complications may arise, such as vision loss (if shingles affects the eye) or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), where pain lingers long after the rash disappears, particularly in older adults.

Shingles Transmission: Is It Contagious by Touch or Airborne?

Shingles is not airborne and cannot be spread by coughing or sneezing.

However, the fluid from the blisters is contagious. If someone who has never had chickenpox touches the blisters, they could contract the varicella-zoster virus,

but they will develop chickenpox, not shingles. Once the blisters crust over, the risk of transmission ends.

Traditional Shingles Treatment

There is no cure for shingles, but antiviral medications can shorten the duration and severity of the illness if taken early,

typically within the first 72 hours of symptoms. Common antiviral drugs include:

- Acyclovir

- Valacyclovir

- Famciclovir

In addition, pain relievers help manage pain, and topical creams can soothe the rash.

Despite some claims of "curing shingles in 3 days," the reality is that the condition typically takes several weeks to resolve.

Shingles Vaccine: A Preventive Measure

The Shingrix vaccine is the best preventive measure against shingles. It is over 90% effective and recommended for adults over 50 or those with weakened immune systems. The vaccine also helps prevent postherpetic neuralgia.

Strange Shingles Treatments: The Role of Honey and Manuka Honey

Honey, especially Manuka honey, has gained attention for its healing properties in managing conditions like shingles. While honey cannot cure shingles, it can provide relief and promote healing.

Benefits of Honey for Shingles

1. Antimicrobial Properties

Honey can help prevent bacterial infections in shingles blisters by creating a protective barrier over the affected area. Manuka honey, rich in methylglyoxal (MGO), is especially potent against bacteria.

2. Soothing and Healing

Applying honey can soothe the painful rash, reduce redness, and support tissue regeneration, promoting faster healing of blisters

3. Moisturizing Effects

Honey helps maintain skin hydration, reducing dryness and irritation, which can alleviate discomfort from shingles.

How to Use Honey for Shingles

- Topical Application

Apply a thin layer of raw or Manuka honey directly to the shingles rash and leave it on for 15–20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Repeat several times a day for soothing relief.

- Honey Dressings

Medical-grade honey dressings, available in pharmacies, can be used for a less messy option.

Fasting and Shingles

Fasting during a shingles outbreak should be approached with caution. While intermittent fasting or short-term fasting might have some immune-boosting benefits,

prolonged fasting can potentially weaken the immune system, especially when the body needs nutrients to fight the virus and heal.

Fasting Considerations

- Energy for Healing: Shingles causes fatigue and pain, and the body requires energy from food for recovery.

- Hydration: Staying hydrated is critical during shingles, as dehydration can worsen fatigue and irritability.

Conclusion

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful viral infection that affects those who have had chickenpox.

While it’s not life-threatening for most, complications such as postherpetic neuralgia can lead to prolonged pain. The best defense is the Shingrix vaccine, especially for older adults or those with weakened immune systems.

Strange treatments, such as using Manuka honey, may offer soothing relief and promote healing when used alongside traditional treatments like antivirals.

Before trying alternative remedies, consult your healthcare provider for the best course of action.

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https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1132465-treatment

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11036-shingles

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/shingles-symptoms

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664599/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664599/

https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1132465-overview

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Definition of Shingles

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a painful viral infection that affects the skin and nerves.

It is also known as herpes zoster or zona.

"Shingles is a severe viral infection that affects the skin.

It appears as vesicles connected to the sensory nerve, leading to severe pain with a burning sensation, taking the form of a red belt, resembling fire. Hence the disease is named (Shingles) due to the severity of pain, burning, and shape."

Cause of Shingles

It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus).

The virus remains dormant in the nerve ganglia after recovery from chickenpox.

"Shingles is a skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Virus).

People who have previously had chickenpox are considered most susceptible to shingles.

The reason lies in the virus remaining dormant in the nerve ganglia for months or years and becoming active in case of weakened immunity."

Infection/Contagion

Shingles itself is not contagious in the sense that a person with shingles does not transmit shingles to another person.

However, if someone who has never had chickenpox touches the blisters of shingles, they may contract chickenpox, not shingles.

"Shingles is a contagious disease transmitted from an infected person through the nose and mouth and by touching the infected skin."

"It may be contagious, usually through the fluid in the blisters."

Symptoms

Pain Pain is the main symptom, often preceding the appearance of the rash.

"Usually, the virus affects a single nerve on one side of the body.

The most common symptoms of shingles include pain, burning sensation, and tingling with pain upon touching the skin, and a severe skin rash. "

"The pain is described as burning, sharp, or stabbing, and may be deep."

"But its main problem is the severe pain that the patient who has shingles experiences, which is very intense and may last for a while, possibly two or three weeks or more."

Skin Rash

Appears one to five days after the onset of pain, in the form of red spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters.

"Then the rash appears 1-5 days after the onset of pain, and the red spots develop into itchy, fluid-filled blisters resembling chickenpox."

"The rash often appears in the form of a belt or strip on one side of the body, usually in the chest, abdomen, or face area."

"It is in the form of redness on the background of the nerve, meaning along its path, approximately in the face, arms, and legs."

Shingles Rash on Back

Other Symptoms

May include fever, headache, fatigue, and itching. "Initially, one side of the body is affected by severe pain and fever with tingling or numbness, headache, general weakness, in addition to itching."

Its Effect on Nerves

Shingles may cause nerve problems, such as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), facial paralysis, and hearing and vision problems if it affects the face or eye.

"Shingles is accompanied by some other complications such as muscle pain and weakness.

In case of its effect on the face, it may cause facial paralysis or difficulty moving muscles, taste problems, hearing loss, and loss of ability to move the eye with drooping eyelid."

Stages of Symptom Appearance

Pain Stage

Begins with severe pain or tingling in a specific area of the body, before any rash appears.

"The issue starts with the patient beginning to feel pain in their skin in the area affected by the nerve.

For example, if the nerve is running in this area [indicates area], the patient starts to complain of pain in this area before any pimples appear and before a rash appears."

Rash Stage

Appears one to five days after the pain, and turns into blisters.

"Then the rash appears 1-5 days after the onset of pain, and the red spots develop into itchy, fluid-filled blisters resembling chickenpox."

Crusting Stage

The blisters dry up and form crusts within a week to 10 days.

"Then the blisters gradually begin to dry, forming crusts 7-10 days after their appearance."

Healing Stage The rash disappears, and some light scars may remain.

"After the blisters disappear and the skin recovers, some light scars may appear in their place."

Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)

Definition

It is chronic pain that lasts for three months or more after the rash disappears.

"Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication of herpes zoster, and it causes burning pain in the nerves and skin.

This pain persists long after the rash and blisters resulting from herpes zoster have disappeared."

Symptoms

Includes persistent pain, sensitivity to touch, itching, or loss of sensation.

"You may feel it as burning and sharp pain, and it resembles stabbing. Or deep and aching."

Risk Factors

The risk of developing it increases with age, severity of the rash, location of the infection (face or torso), and delay in treatment.

"The risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia increases with age. It usually affects people over 60 years of age."

Treatment

Antiviral Medications

Such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, which are most effective if started within 72 hours of rash appearance.

"Among the effective medications in treating shingles are acyclovir and famciclovir."

Pain Relievers

Used to relieve pain, ranging from mild analgesics (paracetamol) to opioids, in addition to topical analgesics.

"Analgesics are used to relieve pain such as paracetamol and stronger analgesics such as oxycodone."

Anti-inflammatory Medications

Such as ibuprofen and naproxen to reduce swelling and pain.

"Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen which help to relieve swelling and pain."

Antidepressants and Anti-epileptic Drugs

Used to control nerve pain.

"And anti-epileptic drugs to treat seizures such as carbamazepine and pregabalin, and antidepressants to control severe pain."

Cortisone Injections

May be used with antivirals to relieve nerve pain.

"It is also recommended to use cortisone with antivirals to relieve nerve pains that persist even after getting rid of the shingles rash."

Personal Care

Includes avoiding skin irritants, moisturizing blisters, and showering with cool water.

"The patient should avoid skin irritants such as woolen clothes and others, in addition to keeping the affected area clean to avoid bacterial infections.

It is preferable to moisturize the blisters with moisturizers that do not contain irritating substances for the rash.

While maintaining daily hygiene and showering with cold water to soothe itching, in addition to the possibility of using oatmeal during showering and soaking the body for 15-20 minutes in it without using hot water that irritates the skin rash."

Peppermint Oil Treatment

There are some reports indicating improvement in some cases with the use of peppermint oil.

"Researchers reviewed in many reports a number of cases that improved with the use of peppermint oil, and presented a success story in getting rid of shingles with peppermint oil for a 76-year-old woman."

Manuka Honey

May help in treating skin conditions due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

"Manuka honey is a special type of honey characterized by antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial in treating skin conditions such as shingles."

Fasting

May boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.

"Islamic fasting or intermittent fasting can have a positive effect in boosting the immune system, which is important in combating shingles."

Prevention

Vaccination

Vaccination is considered the most effective way to prevent shingles and its complications, especially for the elderly.

There are two types of vaccines available: Shingrix and Zostavax. "Fortunately, scientists have developed a vaccine for the virus that causes shingles, especially for the elderly.

There is no guaranteed protection against shingles, but vaccines offer the best chance of prevention."

Shingrix

Provides 90-97% protection and prevents postherpetic neuralgia in about 90% of cases.

"Where the current Shingrix shingles vaccine protects against shingles in 90% – 97% of people depending on age, and also prevents postherpetic neuralgia in about 90% of people."

Zostavax It is an older vaccine, and is still used, but Shingrix is considered more effective. "Experts recommend taking the new vaccine even if the person has received the older shingles vaccine Zostavax."

Healthy Lifestyle

Includes eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, avoiding smoking, and strengthening immunity.

"Following a healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.

Maintaining exercise and a healthy weight. Getting enough sleep. Avoiding smoking."

Chickenpox Vaccine

Recommended for children, as the same virus causes both chickenpox and shingles.

"Paying attention to taking the chickenpox vaccine for children because the main cause of chickenpox and shingles is the same virus."

Avoid Contact with Blisters of Infected People

So that you do not get chickenpox if you have not had it before.

"Do not touch the personal items of a patient with shingles unless they are washed with boiling water."

People Most Susceptible to Infection

Elderly (over 50 years old).

"Getting the vaccine by people over 50 years of age, although it does not prevent shingles, it significantly reduces the risk of developing shingles.

" People with weakened immunity.

"Younger people are also vaccinated in case of immune system problems.

" People who had chickenpox at an early age. People with chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Internal Shingles

In some cases, shingles may not appear as a skin rash, but rather affect internal organs.

"In some cases, shingles disease does not appear as a skin rash.

Rather, it affects the internal organs of the body and is called internal shingles." May cause problems in the digestive system, and affect brain arteries, increasing the risk of strokes.

"It causes problems in the digestive system and affects brain arteries, leading to a risk of stroke, memory impairment, and decreased cognition."

It is difficult to diagnose, and requires accurate medical analyses.

"Diagnosing internal shingles is more difficult than external shingles,

which is diagnosed through the symptoms apparent on the patient."

Zoster Oticus (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome)

Occurs when the virus reactivates in the cranial nerves that control facial muscles, hearing, and balance.

"Herpes zoster oticus occurs when the herpes zoster virus reactivates in the seventh (facial) and eighth (auditory or vestibulocochlear) cranial nerves."

Its symptoms include severe ear pain, vesicles around the ear, facial paralysis, vertigo, and hearing loss.

"Symptoms of herpes zoster oticus include all of the following:

Severe pain in the ear; fluid-filled vesicles outside the ear (pinna) and inside the ear canal; temporary or permanent paralysis on one side of the face (similar to Bell's palsy); vertigo lasting for days or weeks (false sensation of movement or spinning); hearing loss, which may be permanent, or may later recover partially or completely."

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Summary of Key Points

Shingles is the result of reactivation of the dormant chickenpox virus.

Pain is the main symptom, and may precede the appearance of the rash.

Early treatment with antivirals reduces the severity of the disease and its complications. Vaccination is the best way to prevent it. Postherpetic neuralgia is a common and painful complication.

frequently asked questions FAQS

What is Shingles and What Causes It?

Shingles is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

After having chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells and may reactivate later, leading to shingles.

People who have previously had chickenpox are most susceptible to shingles, especially with weakened immunity or advancing age.

What are the Symptoms of Shingles?

Symptoms usually begin with burning, tingling, or numbness in a specific area of the skin, and pain usually appears before the rash.

After that, a rash appears in the form of fluid-filled blisters, often on one side of the body or face.

Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and fatigue. In some cases, it may be limited to nerve pain without the appearance of a rash.

How is Shingles Treated?

Shingles treatment aims to relieve symptoms, reduce the duration of the illness, and prevent complications.

Treatment includes:

Antiviral Medications: Such as acyclovir and valacyclovir, which help reduce the spread of the virus and speed up recovery.

These medications should be taken as soon as possible after symptoms appear, preferably within 72 hours.

Pain Relievers: To relieve pain, such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In severe cases, stronger analgesics may be needed.

Topical Treatments: Such as soothing creams or lotions to relieve itching and irritation.

Blister Care: Keeping the affected area clean and dry to prevent secondary infection.

In rare cases, some severe cases may require intravenous antiviral injections.

Some alternative treatments may be beneficial

Such as using Manuka honey and peppermint oil to reduce inflammation and pain, in addition to following a healthy diet and getting enough sleep to boost immunity.

Is Shingles Contagious? And How Does it Spread?

Shingles is not contagious in the traditional sense, as it is not transmitted between people who have had chickenpox before.

However, the virus that causes shingles can spread through contact with open blisters to a person who has not had chickenpox before, causing them to develop chickenpox, not shingles.

Therefore, contact with active blisters should be avoided, and hands should be washed thoroughly after touching them.

What are the Potential Complications of Shingles?

The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia, which is a burning and chronic nerve pain that may last for months or years after the rash subsides.

Other complications may include:

Eye Involvement:

If the rash is near the eye, it may lead to serious eye infections and vision problems.

Ear Involvement:

Herpes zoster oticus may cause hearing and balance problems and facial paralysis.

Facial Paralysis:

Can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis of the facial muscles.

Other Infections:

Such as bacterial infections of the skin or lung or brain infections.

Internal Organ Involvement: In rare cases, shingles may affect internal organs and cause problems in the digestive system or brain.

Who are the People Most Susceptible to Shingles?

People most susceptible to shingles are:

People who have previously had chickenpox. People over 50 years of age.

People with weakened immune systems due to certain diseases or taking immunosuppressant medications.

People who suffer from chronic stress or nervous tension.

What are the Ways to Prevent Shingles?

Prevention of shingles is important, especially for the elderly and people with weakened immunity. Prevention methods include:

Vaccination

It is recommended to receive the herpes zoster vaccine for people over 50 years of age, even if they have had shingles before or received the old vaccine.

The current vaccine is very effective in reducing the risk of shingles and reducing the severity of symptoms and complications.

Maintaining a Strong Immune System

By eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking.

Avoiding Direct Contact

Avoid contact with active blisters in people with shingles.

Receiving Chickenpox Vaccine

For children, receiving the chickenpox vaccine reduces the risk of contracting it, and thus reduces the risk of developing shingles later.

What is Postherpetic Neuralgia and How is it Managed?

Postherpetic neuralgia is a painful complication that affects some people after healing from the shingles rash.

It occurs due to nerve damage during the viral outbreak, leading to persistent pain even after the rash subsides.

The pain may be burning, sharp, or stabbing and may be constant or intermittent, and can last for months or years.

Treatment for postherpetic neuralgia aims to relieve pain and improve quality of life.

Treatment includes:

Pain Relievers: Such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and stronger analgesics may be needed in severe cases.

Nerve Medications: Such as tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants that help relieve nerve pain.

Topical Treatments: Such as capsaicin or lidocaine creams to relieve localized pain.

Physical Therapy: May help relieve pain and improve movement.

Injections: In some cases, the affected nerve may be injected with anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents to relieve pain.