What is Shingles?

Shingles, medically known as Herpes Zoster, is a painful and rashy skin infection caused by the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster virus that causes chickenpox. This virus can remain inactive for years in the body of people who have had chickenpox, lodging in the nerve roots. When the passive virus wakes up and becomes active for various reasons, such as a weakened immune system, shingles can occur.

Shingles usually manifests itself as rashes and water-filled blisters on one side of the body, along the line traced by the nerves. Patients with shingles may experience localized rashes with severe pain and burning sensations. Although the disease is usually seen in the chest, back, waist and face, it is not limited to this, but can also occur in any area affecting the nerves.

What causes shingles?

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the virus in the nerve cells of a person who has had chickenpox in the past, after it has been hidden for years. Some of the factors that trigger the virus to wake up again are:

Weakened immune system: A weakened immune system due to stress, aging, immunosuppressive drugs or chronic diseases can trigger shingles.
Advanced age: Since the immune system tends to weaken with age, it can be said that the risk of shingles is higher in people aged 50 and over than in people under 50.
Severe stress and fatigue: Stress can suppress the immune system and cause the virus to reactivate.
Cancer treatments: Treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, which are known to reduce the body’s resistance to infections, can also trigger shingles.
Organ transplants or immunosuppressive diseases: Diseases such as HIV/AIDS or medications used after organ transplantation can increase the likelihood of developing shingles.

Shingles can often be caused by one or more of the above factors and can affect the nerves, causing severe pain in patients.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

Because shingles usually affects the nerves in a specific area, it usually presents with unilateral and localized symptoms. The most common symptoms of shingles are as follows:

Severe pain and burning sensation
Skin sensitivity and itching
Red rashes and water-filled blisters
Fatigue and weakness
Headache and fever

Shingles usually heals within 2-4 weeks. However, because it affects the patient’s nerves while it is in effect, the pain may persist for longer. This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia and in some patients the pain can last for months.

Is Shingles Contagious?

Shingles itself is not contagious. However, the chickenpox virus can be transmitted to people who have not had chickenpox by bursting fluid-filled blisters or by direct contact with the shingles rash.

This is why pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and babies should not come into contact with people with shingles. Remember that the risk of infection persists until the blisters in the affected area have completely disappeared. The risk of infection disappears after the blisters have dried and scabbed over.

Is Shingles Risky During Pregnancy?

Although shingles during pregnancy is rare, it can pose certain risks for mother and baby if it occurs.

If the expectant mother has had chickenpox in the past, shingles usually does not harm the baby, but severe pain and discomfort can occur.
If the shingles virus infects a woman who has not had chickenpox during pregnancy, it can pose a risk to the baby and cause birth defects.
Pregnant women who become infected during the first trimester may have an increased risk of miscarriage.

If shingles symptoms occur during pregnancy, a doctor should be consulted immediately and safe treatment options should be considered.

What is the difference between shingles and chickenpox?

Although shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus, they have different symptoms:

Feature	Chickenpox	Shingles
Virus Caused by	Varicella Zoster	Varicella Zoster (reactivated form)
Contagiousness	Very contagious	Only open wounds can infect
Rash Type	Spreads all over the body	Unilateral, develops along the nerve line
Pain and burning	Mild itching	Severe pain and burning sensation
Who Can Have It?	Common in children	More common in adults

While chickenpox is usually contracted in childhood, shingles is an infection that is reactivated when immune system is weakened. Therefore, anyone who has had chickenpox is theoretically at risk of shingles.

How is shingles treated?

Although there is no definitive cure for shingles, early intervention can alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the disease. With medical intervention, it is possible to control the pain of the person diagnosed with shingles, soothe the rash and prevent possible complications. Treatment usually depends on the patient’s age, immune system and the severity of the symptoms.

Commonly used methods of treatment include the following:

Antiviral drugs: Shorten the duration of the disease by slowing down the multiplication of the virus. Drugs such as Acyclovir, Valacyclovir and Famciclovir work best when started within the first 72 hours.
Painkillers: Medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are used for mild pain. For severe pain, you should use medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Steroids: Corticosteroids can be used for nerve involvement or severe pain.
Topical creams: Soothing creams or ointments containing local anesthetics may be recommended to speed up the healing of the rash.
Moisturizing lotions: You can use moisturizers to relieve skin irritation due to itching caused by shingles.

If you are experiencing symptoms of shingles, it is important to see a doctor right away to start treatment early and reduce the effects of the disease.

What is good for shingles?

Various methods can be applied to relieve pain, itching and discomfort during shingles. Although it does not change the course of the disease, the following suggestions can be considered to alleviate the symptoms and make the person feel more comfortable:

Applying a cold compress: A cold compress wrapped in a clean cloth can help reduce skin irritation. It also reduces itching and swelling, providing relief in the area affected by shingles.
Drink plenty of fluids: It is important to keep your body hydrated so that your immune system works better.
Use relaxation techniques: Stress can worsen the symptoms of shingles. Meditation, breathing exercises and gentle walks can help calm the effects.
Taking care of skin care: Avoid scratching the area affected by shingles and keep your skin clean to prevent the blisters from becoming infected.

Natural remedies and supportive treatments can be more effective when used in combination with medication prescribed by a doctor.

How Does Shingles Pain Go Away?

Shingles can cause severe pain, especially because it affects the nerves. In some patients, chronic nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia may persist even after the rash has disappeared. The following methods can be used to relieve these pains:

Non-prescription painkillers
Local anesthetic creams and patches
Nerve pain medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin
Vitamin B supplements
Massage and hot-cold therapy

Shingles pain can be more severe, especially in older people and those with a weakened immune system. It is therefore important to consult a specialist when symptoms appear.

Does Shingles Leave Scars?

Shingles is characterized by water-filled blisters and rashes on the skin. Although these lesions usually heal, in some cases they can leave scars. Scars are more likely to remain, especially when the blisters are scratched or irritated.

Here are some precautions you can take to prevent shingles from leaving scars:

Avoid scratching the blisters.
Keep the area clean until the sores have healed and pay attention to general body hygiene to avoid the risk of infection.
Avoid exposure to sunlight and use sunscreen when going outside.
You should regularly apply skin regenerating creams or moisturizers.

If scars remain, they can be lightened over time with laser treatment or skin regenerating procedures on the recommendation of a dermatologist.

Can Shingles Recur?

Shingles usually occurs once. However, there may be cases where the virus is reactivated in some people.

Groups at higher risk of recurrence of shingles include

Individuals with weakened immune systems (cancer, HIV or immunosuppressive drugs)
Older age group (especially over 60 years)
People under chronic stress

To prevent the recurrence of shingles, it is important to keep the immune system strong, eat a healthy diet and sleep regularly.

Which doctor to see for shingles?

When symptoms of shingles appear, it is very important to consult the right specialty for rapid diagnosis and treatment. In general, dermatology (dermatology) or infectious diseases specialists are consulted for shingles.

However, in some cases, it may also be necessary to consult the following specialties:

Neurology: If shingles severely affects the nervous system or if you have long-term nerve pain, such as postherpetic neuralgia.
Eye diseases: If shingles has appeared around the eyes, an ophthalmologist should be consulted to prevent vision problems.
Internal medicine (internal medicine): If a problem with the immune system is suspected, an internist can be visited for a general evaluation.

Early diagnosis and proper treatment are critical in reducing the effects of shingles. It is therefore important to consult a specialist without delay when symptoms start.