Advisory by Yip Suting, Guardian Pharmacist
Friendly Farmacist Friday: Shingles is a painful rash that can be triggered by stress, disease, or aging. Learn about its symptoms and how to manage it with our quick guide below!
What is Shingles?
Shingles is also known as herpes zoster, and it is a painful skin rash that usually appears as a band or strip on the face or body.
What causes Shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus which is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
What are the common symptoms of Shingles?
The symptoms include a tingling sensation or itch that might develop into a rash or cluster of blisters. The rash can be extremely painful and uncomfortable.
How should Shingles be managed?
Anti-viral medication from a doctor can help with the symptoms and reduce recovery time, but it will not prevent a recurrence. However, there are vaccines that can reduce the incidence of recurrent attacks.
When should I consult a doctor?
You should consult a doctor if the rash appears near the eyes, is widespread around the whole body, if you are an elderly person, or if you have a weakened immune system.
