Shingles in older people
What is shingles?
Shingles is a nerve infection, which also affects the surrounding surface connected to the nerve. Shingles come from the same virus as chickenpox (the herpes virus), but you can still get it, even if you’ve had chickenpox as a child as the virus remains dormant in the central nervous system.
The inactive virus may not cause problems for years, if ever, but you cannot get Shingles is you haven’t had chickenpox. One third of the population develops Shingles and the older you are, the more common it is. It is most common in people over the age of 50, with half of all cases occurring over the age of 60 years. Most people only get Shingles once.
What causes Shingles ?
Age, a lowered immune systems, cancer and its related treatments, other medication and stress can all lead to shingles.
Where do Shingles normally appear?
They appear as blisters in one or more band on one side of the body, usually, around the waist, or on one side of the face. The blisters normally appear a few days after the pain and initial rash. Sometimes the blisters join together, so they resemble a large burn. New blisters can keep appearing for up to a week, but will gradually heal. There might be minor scarring. An episode might last between two to four weeks.
Symptoms of Shingles
The pain from shingles can be mild to severe and might include burning, shooting pain or itching. The pain can sometimes last for months after the blisters have healed .In addition, you might experience a temperature, headache, nausea, upset stomach, difficulty passing urine, joint pain, swollen glands and generally feel tired and unwell. It can also affect your sense of taste and give ear and eye problems.
Most adults with the dormant virus will never experience an outbreak of shingles unless an unknown trigger activates the virus.
How are shingles diagnosed?
It is normally easy for a doctor to diagnose shingles from looking at the skin and blood tests are not normally necessary.
What is the treatment for shingles?
It is important to:
- Keep the rash dry
- Keep the rash clean to avoid infection
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, which will not irritate the skin
- Use non-adherent dressings if you need to cover the rash. Adhesive dressing and antibiotic dressings will irritate the rash further
- Calamine lotion can help to soothe and alleviate the itching
- Antihistamines can to helpful to alleviate night time itching
- Painkillers can reduce the pain
- Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine, such as Zovirax, to help stop the virus spreading,
Are you immune if you’ve had the chickenpox vaccine?
It is thought that if you have been vaccinated against chickenpox, you are less likely to develop shingles.
