Shingles is a viral infection that creates painful rashes, appearing as a blister and developing on either side of the body. Although it can appear on any part of the body, it typically creates striped blisters on either side of the torso.
Shingles can happen to anyone, but they can be a more serious problem for seniors. It comes with a higher risk of stroke and more serious health complications, generally due to a weakened immune system that naturally occurs as we age. Seniors can find it more challenging to fight off any infection due to a weak immune system.
Shingles is not a life-threatening condition but can be very painful. The best way to avoid it is to get vaccinated against the virus. Although it is a treatable condition, it can still lead to further complications – postherpetic neuralgia being the most common.
Postherpetic neuralgia causes a lingering pain, even after the blisters have been treated or even after they have disappeared. Other complications from shingles can also develop such as loss of vision, skin infections, and some neurological conditions, depending on which nerves in the body become affected.
Risk Factors and Causes of Shingles
The main cause of shingles is the varicella-zoster virus. This virus is also responsible for chickenpox. Once a person has been infected with chickenpox, the virus remains in the nerve tissues near the brain and the spinal cord, even once it becomes inactive. Several years later, it can reactivate again, travel the nerve pathways towards your skin, and then you feel the impact of shingles.
While there is a huge chance that one can develop shingles if they’ve had chickenpox in the past, not everyone who gets infected with chickenpox ends up developing shingles later on.
Other factors can also make a person more likely to develop shingles, including the prolonged use of steroids, having radiation or chemotherapy, and mostly being over 50 years of age. The risk of developing shingles goes higher with age.
Signs & Symptoms of Shingles
The most common symptom of shingles is pain. It may range from moderate to intense, but some people may only feel the pain and not develop a rash. If a rash develops, it usually appears as a stripe of blisters. They can appear on the body, around an eye, or one side of the face or neck.
Shingles usually affects a small area of the body at any given time. The most common signs and symptoms are:
- Painful and burning sensation.
- Itching.
- Sensitivity to touch, and if touched can be very painful.
- Seeing red rashes appear even days after feeling pain.
- Fluid-filled blisters, similar to chickenpox.
- Sometimes, it can include other symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever and light sensitivity.
Prevention & Treatment of Shingles
If shingles develop, medications are available to treat the infection. The key to successful treatment includes prompt response to the initial symptoms, proper medical evaluation, quick treatment of anti-viral medications, and pain therapy if required.
Prompt attention and action can go a long way in treating shingles effectively, especially if the person is elderly. Shingles may resolve on its own, even without treatment, however, the viral infection may need to be treated aggressively to prevent further complications.
Anti-Viral Medication
There are various types of antiviral medication for shingles available, and your doctor will prescribe the one they think will best treat the shingles outbreak.
Pain Medication
If the pain is mild, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen) may be safely given to seniors. However, if the pain is more intense, opioid pain relievers or corticosteroids could be necessary. Pain medications should be medically prescribed by doctors to prevent further complications.
Alternative Therapies
If the elderly person prefers alternative pain management therapies they can speak to their natural health care provider. They will provide them with treatment solutions or pain remedies suitable for their needs. Meditation training and a regular mindfulness meditation practice could complement other pain management therapies.
Shingles should not be ignored, so at the first sign of pain and discomfort see your doctor. If you can prevent the virus from becoming worse, you will reduce both the intensity and the duration of the painful symptoms.
