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Shingles: First Signs and Causes

Shingles: First Signs and Causes
Shingles: First Signs and Causes


If you had chicken pox before, watch out for shingles (also known as herpes zoster) which can appear suddenly when your immune system is weakened. Dr Tan Kian Hian, Head and Senior Consultant and Director of the Pain Management Centre at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group, shares the symptoms and causes of shingles. (iStock photo)

"The chicken pox virus – or varicella zoster virus – can lie dormant in the nerves linked to the spinal cord for years. Then, when there is a dip in the immunity system, it erupts in a shingles outbreak," says Dr Tan Kian Hian.

Related article: Chicken pox – How serious is it for adults?

So if you are undergoing steroid treatment, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, have a history of bone or lymphatic cancer or suffer from medical conditions like HIV/AIDS, you stand a higher chance of developing shingles since your immune system is compromised.

Other risk factors include being over 60 years old and being under high stress. There is no known food or environmental triggers.

Symptoms of shingles

Most shingles sufferers first notice the pain. "Usually, patients report a burning pain, tingling sensation and itching – like having ants crawling all over you. Even a tee-shirt brushing against the affected skin area can cause discomfort," says Dr Tan.

Related article: Eczema – What to do when moisturisers don't work

Next, there will be more noticeable symptoms – a red rash that begins a few days after the pain, as well as fluid-filled blisters. Most commonly, these symptoms appear on one side of the body, usually at the level of the chest or abdomen.

"Seek professional treatment once you notice symptoms like a rash and blisters, especially if they are accompanied by fever and body ache. You need to be treated within 72 hours to reduce the pain and prevent complications," Dr Tan advises.

Is there a cure for shingles?

To date, there is no cure for shingles. But you don't have to suffer in silence.

"We cannot completely eliminate the virus from the body," explains Dr Tan. "But proper treatment will drastically reduce the severity of the pain."

Doctors usually prescribe anti-viral medications and strong painkillers, as well as calamine lotion and anti-itch medications to stop the itch.

Anti-depressants may also used to relieve the pain. Dr Tan adds, "These are actually not used to deal with emotional issues. Instead, they alleviate nerve-related pain by blocking the neurotransmitters."

Related article: Can the chicken pox vaccine reduce risk of shingles?

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