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Skin Disorders and Treatment
Acrochordons
Acanthosis Nigricans
Actinic keratosis
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Alopecia Areata
Anal Warts
Angioma
Amoebiasis
Aphthous Ulcer
Athlete's Foot
Atopic Dermatitis
Baldness
Blackheads
Blue Nevi
Browen's Disease
Bullous Pemphigoid
Candidiasis
Cavernous Hemangioma
Cellulite
Chilblains
Chapped Lips
Cracked Heels
Cysts
Dandruff
Dark Circles
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis
Dermatofibroma
Dry Lips
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Eczema
Enlarged Pores
Epidermolysis Bullosa
Erythroderma
Eye Stye
Facial Rashes
Fibroadenoma
Flexural Psoriasis
Fordyce's Condition
Folliculitis
Freckles
Furunculosis
Genital Herpes
Granuloma Annulare
Grovers Disease
Hand Dermatitis
Heat Rash
Herpes Simplex
Herpes Zooster
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hirsutism
Hot Tub Folliculitis
Ichthyosis
Impetigo
Ingrown Toe Nail
Intertrigo
Keloid
Keratoacanthoma
Keratosis Pilaris
Leucoderma
Lichen Planus
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen Straitus
Liver Spots
Lupus Erythematosus
Lymes Disease
Lymphomatoid Papulosis
Mastocytosis
Melasma
Morton's Neuroma
Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
Paget's Disease
Pemphigus Vulgaris
Pityriasis Versicolor
Pityriasis Rosea
Pruritis Ani
Shingles
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea Cruris
Venous Angioma
Vulvodynia
Xerosis
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Herpes Zooster
Herpes zoster, also known as shingles or zoster, is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox . It occurs only in people who have had chickenpox in the past and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella virus. The term "shingles" comes from a Latin word, "cingulum", which means belt or girdle; the rash of herpes zoster usually appears in a band or beltlike pattern. Herpes zoster can affect individuals of all ages, but because immunity to the virus decreases with normal aging, it is particularly common in adults over age 50 years. It is also more common in individuals of all ages with conditions that weaken the immune system. It affects some 1 million people per year in the United States and can involve excruciating pain. Many patients develop a painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia , which is often difficult to manage. In some patients, herpes zoster can reactivate subclinically, with pain in a dermatomal distribution without rash . This condition is known as zoster sine herpete, and may be more complicated, affecting multiple levels of the nervous system and causing multiple cranial neuropathies , polyneuritis , myelitis , or aseptic meningitis . Treatment is generally with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), or valacyclovir (Valtrex). For the antiviral drugs to be effective, patients typically need to begin taking them within 2-3 days of the appearance of the rash .
Causes of Herpes Zooster
Common Causes of Herpes Zooster :
- Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the chicken-pox virus.
- Advanced age: The risk of getting shingles increases as you age. People have a hard time fighting off infections as they get older.
- Adult or child is exposed to the herpes zoster virus and has not had chickenpox as a child or received the chickenpox vaccine, a severe case of chickenpox may develop rather than shingles.
- It can be a result of re-emerging of the virus after many year.
- Scratching may introduce bacteria into herpes zoster lesions and result in a bacterial infection. Persistent herpes zoster lesions may be an indication that an overlying bacterial infection is present. Bacterial infection may cause severe complications, such as cellulitis and subsequent scarring.
Symptoms of Herpes Zooster
Some common Symptoms of Herpes Zooster :
- Abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Headache.
- Lymph node swelling .
- Vision abnormalities.
- Hearing loss.
- Drooping eyelid ( ptosis ).
- Joint pain
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Treatment of Herpes Zooster
- Herpes Zoster can be treated with antivirals,anti-inflammatory medications and aspirin and other analgesics are used to relieve pain.these also reduce the duration of the disease.
- The standard treatment for shingles is the drug acyclovir, which can be given orally or intravenously in more severe cases.
- Secondary condition secondary conditions caused by herpes zoste may require surgery.
- Eye drops and ointments may be prescribed by the doctors to treat ocular problems.
- Several creams, gels and sprays are being studied. These provide temporary relief from pain.
- Infected persons should avoid contact with people who may be more susceptible to contracting the disease such as, the elderly, children, pregnant women, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
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Skin Treatments