What are shingles? If you’ve had them, you’ll never forget the experience. The virus varicella-zoster causes shingles, a rash that can be extremely painful. This virus also causes chicken pox. The virus can lay dormant in your system for years, long after your chicken pox has become just a small memory in your past. If activated, the virus moves up your nerves to your skin, resulting in the painful rash.

Shingles Risk Factors
If you’ve had the chicken pox, then there is a chance you will get shingles. While the reasons that shingles emerge aren’t quite understood yet, age and a weakened immune system seem to be a factor in developing shingles. People who develop shingles are usually over 50 years old, and a shingles vaccine is now available for anyone over 60.

Symptoms Of Shingles
The first sign of shingles is a pain or burning sensation on one side of the body, usually only a small part. A red rash follows a few days later. The rashes may pop open and itch. In addition, you may have a fever and a headache.

Shingles Treatment
Shingles can go away without treatment within a few weeks. However, your doctor may be able to speed up your recovery and reduce your pain levels by prescribing antiviral drugs and pain killers. Alternatively, your physician may suggest over-the-counter antihistamines and pain relievers. In addition, your health care practitioner might ask you to use products like calamine lotion to help reduce the itching.

There are a few caveats regarding treatment. If your shingles are located near your eyes, don’t wait for the problem to go away by itself. Call your doctor right away. Shingles can permanently damage the eye. In addition, if you or someone in your near family has immune system problems, see your physician.

In fact, it’s always a good idea to contact your doctor for information regarding any potentially serious illness, whether you think it will go away on its own or not.