Protect yourself from shingles
By Mary Anna Rodabaugh
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash illness that occurs when the same virus that causes chickenpox reactivates. The CDC estimates that 1 million people in the United States get shingles each year. It is more common in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms
Shingles begins as an itchy, burning patch of skin localized to one side of the body. The rash can be widespread; however, discomfort can occur before a rash even develops. Some other symptoms may include fever, headaches, chills, and an upset stomach. The itchy rash will form blisters, and within 7 to 10 days, the blisters will form scabs. Typically, the scabs will clear up in about two to four weeks.
“Shingles is not something older adults should try to wait out — early medical care can make a significant difference,” says Hal Farber, MD, a board-certified physician specializing in skin conditions and care of older adults.
Shingles may also cause long-term complications, including long-term nerve pain, called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The risk of PHN increases with age. This long-term nerve pain can last months or even years after the initial condition is treated and cleared. It typically occurs at the site of the rash. Symptoms of shingles on the face or near the eyes could even cause vision loss.
“Any redness, swelling, or changes in vision during shingles require prompt medical attention,” says Farber.
When to see a doctor
If you are experiencing any new, unexplained burning, tingling, or pain on one side of the body, you should be evaluated promptly, especially if a rash or blisters appear. As we age, shingles can be more severe, and recovery can take longer, making early evaluation especially important for older adults.
A dermatologist is often best equipped to diagnose shingles quickly and manage both the rash and skin-related symptoms.
“Starting treatment within the first few days can shorten the illness and lower the risk of long-lasting nerve pain,” says Farber.
Treatment
There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatment options your healthcare provider may prescribe to ease symptoms. The first is an antiviral medication that can reduce irritation duration, decrease how severe the rash becomes, and lower the risk of PHN. For pain, dermatologists may recommend acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
If you receive treatment within three days of getting the rash, you can prevent complications; however, if you receive treatment after three days, it still has benefits.
During and after treatment, Farber recommends rest, hydration, and proper nutrition to support healing, as well as keeping the affected skin clean and protected to help prevent infection and improve comfort.
“If pain continues after the rash clears, patients should know that follow-up care and additional treatment options are available,” says Farber.
Lingering pain is not something older adults should have to deal with. Seeing a dermatologist can make a real difference in quality of life.
Vaccination
The shingles vaccine is the only way to protect against shingles and related complications. Given in a two-dose series, the shingles vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines. The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years and older with the two doses separated by two to six months.
“Adults age 50 and older — even those who have had shingles before — should discuss vaccination with their healthcare provider,” says Farber.
A new study by Stanford University suggests that the shingles vaccine may also protect against dementia. Vaccinated participants who remained cognitively healthy were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, and those who did develop dementia were nearly 30% less likely to die from it over the course of nine years. The results “suggest that there is a slowing of this degenerative process.”
Bottom Line
“Older adults in the Philadelphia area have excellent access to dermatologic and medical care and should feel comfortable seeking evaluation early rather than managing shingles on their own,” says Farber.
Mary Anna Rodabaugh is a writer, editor and writing coach.
