Shingles is a pathology of a dermatological nature, the appearance of which provokes the chickenpox virus. The ailment is accompanied by severe pain. The disease affects the nerve cells and skin. If you do not start therapy in time, this viral infection can lead to the development of complications.
What is herpes zoster?
With this disease, unilateral skin rashes are caused on the body caused by the infectious agent varicella-zoster. The causative agent affects the peripheral nerve endings and skin. On top of everything, it leads to the development of chickenpox. In people who have had this disease in childhood, the virus remains in the body and does not manifest itself in any way until the immune system malfunctions.
Such a dermatological disease is a danger to others. It occurs during the reactivation of herpes virus infection. The main carrier of this virus is man. If a person in childhood is ill with chickenpox, the pathogen remains in his body, staying for many years in a sleeping state. It begins to manifest itself only when the protective forces are weakened.
Herpes zoster ( type 3 herpes ) affects the intervertebral ganglion, causing intoxication, vesicle rash and fever. The virus is especially dangerous for babies who have not suffered chickenpox. Rashes with this pathology can occur on the face, neck and neck.
This ailment is most often found in children and the elderly. Mostly women and men over 50 are exposed. Everyone who has herpes zoster needs to know what herpes zoster is.
Factors provoking the development of the disease
Infection with herpes simplex virus type 3 usually occurs in childhood. It is transmitted from a sick child. Herpes zoster in babies is like chicken pox. After complete cure, the infectious agent penetrates into certain centers of the nervous system and is in a latent state. In the incubation period, a person is not dangerous to others.
Herpes zoster occurs due to weakening of the body's defenses. It is a failure of immunity that causes the activation of the zoster virus. The following factors can lead to such consequences:
- the use of drugs that reduce the immune system;
- the impact of other diseases on organs and systems;
- excessive physical activity;
- emotional overstrain and stress;
- surgical interventions.
Who is at risk?
Most affected by the development of herpes zoster are people who use hormones infected with AIDS or HIV, undergone an organ transplant, and suffer from diabetes. Another such disease is found in chronic pathologies: heart failure, cirrhosis, tuberculosis, impaired renal function and hepatitis. Lichen may also occur in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
The causative agent leaves the latent state, after which it penetrates the nerve processes onto the surface of the skin, causing unpleasant sensations. Herpes is mainly observed in the elderly, since immunity often malfunctions in old age.
Signs of shingles
It is customary to separate the symptoms of this ailment into a typical and atypical form. The photo, which shows what herpes zoster is, allows you to consider what the rashes look like with this disease.
Typical symptoms
In the prodromal phase, signs of shingles are observed within 2-4 days. The patient in this period begins to feel pain in the nerve region where a herpetic rash will subsequently occur. At an early stage, problems with the digestive tract may appear, lymph nodes may increase, and temperature may rise. A distinctive feature of shingles is tingling in the area where the pathogen is active.
The next period of the disease is the stage of rashes. Vesicles (small vesicles) of various sizes (2-5 mm) appear on the body. In the first few days, they look like ordinary red spots, but after three days these points turn into bubbles. With typical signs, such rashes are somewhat reminiscent of the shape and color of a herpetic rash on the lips.
After this, the healing stage begins. After about 14 days, with adequate therapy, the manifestations of herpes zoster disappear. During this period, regeneration of the skin occurs, however, neuralgic symptoms do not pass. A new layer of skin forms under the bubbles. The vesicles first dry and crust, and then fall off. After herpes zoster, dermal pigment spots remain on the dermis.
Atypical manifestations
With an abortive or mild form, usually one lesion is formed of a small size. Patients do not suffer from itching, discomfort, or burning. After 3-4 days, the spread of spots on the skin stops.
The generalized form is observed with a serious malfunction of the immune system. After a typical rash, herpes zoster begins to affect large areas of the mucous membranes and skin.
During a gangrenous or severe form, rashes arise, encircling localization sites and constantly moving. The disease is accompanied by the constant formation of new skin elements. The main reason for their appearance is severe immunodeficiency.
With a bullous form, herpetic eruptions are closely adjacent to each other. As a result, they merge and create one large entity. When the bubble dries up, the crust remains in the form of a huge dark spot.
Before eliminating herpes zoster on the body, a person should make sure that he fell ill with this particular ailment. After all, neuralgic signs may indicate other pathologies. Therefore, the first thing when rashes appear is to consult a doctor.
Herpes zoster in young patients
Herpes zoster in children is very rare. After all, when the pathogen first enters the body, it causes chickenpox in the child. As a result, antibodies are produced against this virus that protect against the appearance of depriving for a long time (about 10 years) and relapse of the disease.
Most affected by this type of herpes are children suffering from impaired immunological reactivity. The virus can be transmitted from mother to newborn if it has been exposed to a carrier of infection during pregnancy. When a pathogen enters the body in a child, the following occur:
- rashes on the skin;
- acute fever;
- heat.
Symptoms of a neuralgic nature in children with shingles are not observed. Severe forms of herpes infection are extremely rare.
Deprive adult patients
In adults, herpes zoster, a photo of which can be seen below, occurs after 25 years, usually against the background of other pathologies or with a weakened immune system. The disease in this case takes a relapsing character. It periodically makes itself felt and has an unfavorable prognosis for complete healing. Herpes zoster in adults should be treated exclusively under the supervision of an infectious disease specialist, you can not self-medicate.
Unpleasant sensations with herpes
Pain with shingles is the main symptom of the disease. The pathogen after penetrating the body affects the nervous tissue, therefore, such sensations are pronounced. They are especially intense in places where rashes occur.
If the pain does not disappear even after wound healing, it is most likely a complication of pathology - postherpetic neuropathy. This happens not because of the progression of the disease, but as a result of the defeat of the nervous tissue by the virus, which are not restored so quickly. To get rid of her, the doctor changes the tactics of treatment and prescribes other drugs. Therapy in this condition is aimed at relieving inflammation and discomfort in the affected area. Pain with shingles can be dull, burning and boring. It is enhanced even with minor mechanical and thermal effects. This period can last from 1 to 2 months, and in older people - more than one year.
Virus Transmission Routes
Herpes zoster - is it contagious? Such a question arises most often if a pathology is found in one of the relatives. You can get infected with lichen by transplacental, airborne or contact method. The carrier of the virus is already infected with herpes zoster or chicken pox. The causative agent is present in the body of everyone who has come into contact with infected people and has had chickenpox. He gets out of sleep with immunodeficiency.
Vesicle Care
The fact that such a herpes zoster is known to patients firsthand. To alleviate the condition, ice can be applied to the rashes. To eliminate unbearable itching, you should do lotions with calamine or menthol. When taking a bath during an illness, the rash should not be rubbed. It is advisable to stop adding aromatic oils and salt to the water.
Bubbles with shingles can not be lubricated with irritating creams and ointments, so as not to aggravate the situation. It is not worth treating them with iodine and green.
To dry the vesicles and eliminate severe itching, you need to prepare a product from liquid glycerin and sulfuric ointment. These components are mixed in equal proportions until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The resulting mixture is advised to process the bubbles a day after taking a shower. Glycerin will soften the skin and accelerate their healing, and sulfur will relieve itching and inflammation.
Herpes zoster: symptoms and treatment
Such a viral infection at a young age is able to pass on its own in about a month with stable functioning of the immune system. However, if its functioning worsens, it is necessary to undergo treatment, especially if the disease has developed against the background of other serious pathologies of the internal organs.
An extremely unpleasant ailment is herpes zoster on the body. His treatment is aimed at the implementation of the following goals:
- increase immunity;
- prevention of complications and relapses;
- elimination of the rash;
- reduction of intoxication.
In the first 72 hours after talking with the carrier of infection, gamma globulin is administered to a person. To combat this type of herpes, antiviral drugs are still being taken - Vectavir, Famvir, Zovirax, Valtrex. It is recommended to resort to them when detecting the first symptoms of pathology. Timely treatment will accelerate recovery and reduce the intensity of pain.
Antiviral drugs are combined with vaccination to stop the infection process. Vaccination helps to avoid the development of herpes zoster and ease the course of an existing disease.
With this pathology, interferon inducers are often prescribed (Neovir, Amiksin). They have an antiviral effect and contribute to the production of endogenous interferon.
To speed up the healing process of the rash, use antiviral ointments and creams. The most effective are Acyclovir, as well as Vectavir. NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) and vitamin complexes can be prescribed to a patient with shingles.
The prognosis for herpes zoster is favorable, except for encephalitis forms of the disease. If the first symptoms are detected, lichen should immediately appear to the infectious disease specialist. It is forbidden to engage in self-medication, since pathology can lead to bad consequences. The use of traditional medicine is justified only with a mild form of herpes zoster.
Possible complications
If you start this pathology, then you can not avoid the negative consequences. If you untimely see a doctor, there is a high probability of complications such as:
- persistent pain in the place of rashes for a long time;
- pus due to constant combing of the vesicles;
- decreased motor activity of the arms and legs;
- visual impairment and inflammation of the eyeballs: such problems are of concern if herpes has appeared on the face; subsequently they can lead to complete blindness;
- loss of sensation in the area where the rash is located;
- the development of pneumonia;
- damage to the facial nerve.
During the bearing of a baby, herpes zoster is very dangerous. This disease can lead to infection of the fetus, the birth of a dead child and miscarriage. Herpes zoster (symptoms and treatment of pathology are presented in your article) requires immediate contact with an infectious disease specialist to avoid disastrous consequences.