Herpes Zoster – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Herpes Zoster – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments  that we should all know.  In addition, Herpes Zoster  is a viral infection caused by the chickenpox virus. Symptoms include pain and a rash on one side of the body. Herpes Zoster usually affects older adults and people with weak immune systems .

What is Herpes Zoster: Herpes Zoster is a viral infection capable of causing blisters on the skin and severe pain. It can affect any region, but is more common on the trunk and face. Lesions usually appear in the form of a band on one side of the body.

Symptoms of Herpes Zoster include: Localized burning, throbbing or stabbing pain where the rash will appear soon (within days to weeks); Some people describe this as more itching. It can be constant or come and go.

• Tingling, itching or prickling skin, followed several days later by a group of fluid-filled blisters on a red, inflamed base of skin; Blisters typically cut within a week.
• The rash may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, or a headache.

The Causes of Herpes Zoster: Anyone who has had chickenpox at some point in their life can develop Herpes Zoster . This is because the virus is lodged in ganglia and remains latent for years. Eventually, it can be reactivated and “travel” along nerve pathways to the skin – producing the rashes.

Treatment of Herpes Zoster: Treatment for Herpes Zoster is done with the use of anti-viral drugs such as Acyclovir, to reduce the blisters, and the duration and intensity of the disease, and with the use of analgesics to relieve the pain caused by the blisters. .
In addition, care should be taken such as:

• Wash the affected area daily with warm water and mild soap without rubbing, drying well to avoid the development of bacteria on the skin;
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting, cotton clothing to allow the skin to breathe;
• Place a cold chamomile compress on the affected area to relieve itching.
• Do not apply ointments or creams on the blisters, preventing the skin from becoming irritated.
• It is important to remember that to be most effective, treatment should be started as soon as the skin lesions appear. See also a natural remedy for herpes.

Herpes Zoster Vaccine: The Herpes Zoster vaccine is the only efficient way to prevent this disease and its complications. The vaccine is recommended for adults over 50 years old, but it is not offered by the SUS and its price is around 400 reais.
Ideally, this vaccine should be recommended by a doctor, as it is not recommended for pregnant women and people who take corticosteroids or who have a weakened immune system.