Shingles - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo Clinic
Aug 20, 2022 · Health care providers usually diagnose shingles based on the history of pain on one side of your body, along with the telltale rash and blisters. Your health care provider may also take a tissue sample or culture of the blisters to send to the lab.
Shingles - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic
Aug 20, 2022 · Shingles isn't life-threatening. But it can be very painful. Vaccines can help lower the risk of shingles. Early treatment may shorten a shingles infection and lessen the chance of complications. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia. This is a painful condition that causes shingles pain for a long time after your blisters have ...
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Shingles — not just a band of blisters
Nov 28, 2022 · While shingles cannot be cured, getting vaccinated and seeking prompt treatment with antiviral drugs can speed healing and reduce your risk of complications. — Dr. Jeffery Wheeler , Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Shingles treatment: Does alcohol use affect therapy?
Jun 30, 2023 · An episode of shingles usually heals on its own within a few weeks. However, immediate shingles treatment — often including an antiviral drug, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir or valacyclovir (Valtrex) — can reduce pain, speed healing and …
Treating (or Preventing) Pain after Shingles
Oct 29, 2013 · The best treatment for postherpetic neuralgia is prevention of shingles. The vaccine Zostavax reduces the risk of shingles in older adults by about half and the risk of postherpetic neuralgia by almost 70 percent.
Shingles: Not Just A Band of Blisters - Mayo Clinic News Network
Apr 1, 2015 · When identified early, shingles can be treated with prescription medications that help shorten the infection and reduce the risk of complications. Dr. Wheeler says signs and symptoms of shingles may include: A feeling of pain, burning, tingling, itching, numbness or extreme sensitivity in a limited area of your body
Valacyclovir (oral route) - Mayo Clinic
Valacyclovir is used to treat herpes virus infections, including herpes labialis (also known as cold sores), herpes zoster (also known as shingles), and herpes simplex (also known as genital herpes) in adults.
Postherpetic neuralgia - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Feb 10, 2023 · This complication of shingles can cause pain, itching and numbness long after the shingles rash clears. Treatments can ease symptoms.
What Is the Best Way To Prevent Additional Shingles Attacks?
Mar 26, 2010 · If you cannot receive the shingles vaccine, the best option for dealing with recurrent shingles is to treat each episode with prescription antiviral medication and pain medication as soon as possible. If you take antivirals within 48 hours of the rash appearing, the chances that you will develop postherpetic neuralgia are much lower.
Mayo Clinic Minute: What are eye shingles?
Apr 15, 2019 · The key to overcoming eye shingles is quick diagnosis and aggressive treatment with antiviral medication. Your doctor will perform several dilated eye exams to monitor the health of your eye until the shingles are resolved.