Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can later develop shingles. Both diseases are caused by the same virus, the varicella-zoster virus. After a chickenpox (varicella) infection, the virus remains in the body. Many years later it can become active again and cause shingles (herpes zoster): a skin rash, usually in bands of blisters, which is often very painful. The rash usually appears on one side of the body only.

Shingles can often lead to complications, so if you notice signs of it, be sure to see a doctor. You can also seek treatment at the best clinics in Switzerland. Treatment in Switzerland always means a high-quality, modern approach to treating viral diseases.

Shingles is a fairly common disease, especially among older people. It can be very uncomfortable. Without complications, it usually clears up within 2–4 weeks.

What is shingles?

Shingles is the most common acute skin disease. It is important to recognise and treat it in good time. In 80 per cent of cases, the disease first shows itself as severe pain. Later, a blistering rash usually develops at the site of the pain and may spread in a belt-like pattern. Characteristically, symptoms always occur on one side: they stay on one side of the body’s midline.

In principle, shingles can occur on any part of the body. The chest or trunk is often affected. As a rule, only one particular area of the body is involved.

Complications

Complications of shingles may include:

  • Postherpetic neuralgia. In some people, the pain of shingles continues long after the blisters have cleared. This condition is known as postherpetic neuralgia. It occurs when damaged nerve fibres send confused and exaggerated pain signals from the skin to the brain.
  • Loss of vision. Shingles in or around the eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may lead to loss of vision.
  • Neurological problems. Shingles can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis or problems with hearing or balance.
  • Skin infections. If shingles blisters are not properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop.

Treatment

Early diagnosis is very important

Because the initial symptoms are non-specific, diagnosis is often difficult, especially at the onset of the disease. It should nevertheless be made as early as possible so that antiviral therapy can begin. Timely treatment significantly reduces the risk of long-term effects and complications. Therapy is most effective when started within the first three days (72 hours) after the rash appears. It is therefore advisable to seek medical help as soon as shingles is first suspected.

In most cases, specialists need only look at the affected skin to identify herpes zoster clearly.

Several factors shape treatment:

  • the extent of the disease,
  • the location of the affected parts of the body,
  • the stage of the skin changes,
  • concomitant diseases, especially those affecting the immune system,
  • the patient’s age.

In younger people, shingles on the trunk, arms or legs usually heals without problems. Older patients more often experience severe and persistent pain. Here – in addition to symptomatic treatment of the skin changes and pain, as for younger people – antiviral therapy targeting the cause is usually given. This is also often the case when very large areas of skin are affected or critical areas, such as around the eyes. Treatment should always be carried out in consultation with specialists.

Symptomatic treatment: patients take painkillers to relieve the pain. If common active ingredients such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and the like are insufficient, opioids (for example codeine, tramadol) may help. In some patients, however, no painkiller works. If blisters have yet to appear on the skin, moist compresses may help. Drying mixtures or lotions work on fresh blisters. Solutions containing clioquinol are intended to prevent bacterial infections. Once the blisters have dried up, suitable ointments can soften and loosen the scabs.

Antiviral treatment: in mild cases, tablets containing antiviral drugs (most often with the active ingredient aciclovir) are usually sufficient. In severe cases, antiviral drugs are given as infusions for one to two weeks. Treatment then takes place in hospital. If there is also a bacterial infection, if a severe course is suspected or if the risk of infection is high, patients often receive antibiotics.