Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, can be painful and debilitating, but with the right treatment and a good care routine, it is possible to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and maintain your physical and emotional well-being.
Shingles is a viral illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you contract chickenpox, the virus remains “dormant” in the nerve ganglia. Years or even decades later, it can reactivate and cause shingles.
This reactivation is associated with factors such as:
- A weakened immune system (a consequence of illness or immunosuppressant treatments).
- Physical or emotional stress.
- Aging (most common among people over the age of 50).
- Chronic fatigue or lack of rest.
- Recent infections.
Shingles tipically starts with pain, burning, or tingling in a specific area of the body, followed by a rash that affects only one side. Common symptoms include:
- A rash with painful blisters that may crust over and leave scars.
- Intense nerve pain, often felt as burning or stabbing.
- Itching or extreme sensitivity to touch.
- Fever or general discomfort.
- Fatigue and trouble resting.
Some people develop postherpetic neuralgia, a lingering pain that can last for months after the rash disappears. Early treatment helps reduce this risk.
Although shingles has no permanent cure, its symptoms can be managed. Treatment includes:
- Antiviral medications, which work best when started within the first 72 hours.
- Pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs to control pain.
- Medications for nerve pain (as indicated by your doctor).
- Soothing creams or lotions to soothe the skin.
- Cold compresses to reduce burning and inflammation.
As a preventive measure, there is a vaccine that is recommended especially for older adults or people at higher risk.
Now that you know more about shingles, it’s time to talk about how to manage it. Here are 7 tips to combine physical care with emotional support.
- Seek medical treatment: Don’t wait for it to get worse. Acting quickly reduces pain and complications.
- Keep your skin clean and soothed: Use cold compresses, wear soft clothing, and avoid scratching to prevent infection and scarring.
- Manage the pain: Be consistent with pain relievers or prescription drugs, even if you start to feel better.
- Rest and strengthen your immune system: Sleeping well and lowering stress levels will help your body recover faster.
- Practice techniques for emotional regulation: Breathing exercises, meditating, or writing down your emotions can help you manage the anxiety caused by pain.
- Avoid isolation: Talking to someone you trust can ease the emotional burden and stress that contribute to worsening symptoms.
- Be patient and compassionate with yourself: Recovery takes time. Celebrate small improvements and remember that it’s not your fault; your body is doing its job.
With the right treatment, emotional support, and a care routine, you can overcome shingles, relieve the pain, and restore your well-being. The key is to act early by taking care of your skin, managing stress, and maintaining a self-care and patient mindset.
TSS-MKT-6102-2025-B