{"id":2146,"date":"2020-03-30T19:53:05","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T19:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imedicalsociety.org\/?p=2146"},"modified":"2020-03-30T19:53:05","modified_gmt":"2020-03-30T19:53:05","slug":"shingles-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imedicalsociety.org\/shingles-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Shingles Treatment: Medication"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shingles Treatment<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

In the treatment of shingles<\/a><\/strong>, antivirals and painkillers (3<\/a>) are mainly used (1<\/a>). Careful skin care is also very important (2<\/a>). Read more about shingles treatment here!<\/p>\n

ICD codes for this condition is B02<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"shingles<\/h2>\n

Shingles treatment: skincare<\/h2>\n

Careful skincare<\/strong> is an important part of treatment<\/a> for shingles (herpes zoster). For example, disinfectant powders can prevent additional bacteria from settling on the affected areas of skin. Depending on the stage, antiseptic, drying or itch-killing lotions, gels or powders are also recommended. Possible active agents are tanning agents, zinc, menthol or podicanol.<\/p>\n

Cool, moist compresses<\/strong> can be beneficial if bubbles have already formed. They sometimes help against complaints such as pain and itching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Painkillers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The acute pain of shingles can be relieved with painkillers. Sometimes moderately effective drugs such as paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are sufficient. These have an additional antipyretic effect. You can get them without a prescription at the pharmacy.<\/p>\n

For more severe pain, stronger painkillers from the group of opioids are often necessary, for example, tramadol. Such drugs are available only on prescription.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Antiviral agents<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Antiviral drugs target the cause of shingles<\/a> directly: the varicella-zoster virus. They inhibit the reproduction of the virus and are therefore called antivirals<\/strong>. Examples from this class of drugs are Aciclovir, Valaciclovir, Foscarnet and Brivudin.<\/p>\n

Antiviral shingles therapy can accelerate healing and shorten the duration<\/a> of pain. The prerequisite is to start early: Doctors recommend starting antiviral therapy within 72 hours after the rash appears. Normally, the antivirals are taken as tablets<\/strong>. If the course of the disease<\/a> is severe, the doctor can also administer them as an infusion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A shingles treatment with antivirals makes sense in principle. However, in some cases, it is not absolutely necessary. This is the case, for example, in young patients who do not have a severe form of shingles and who are not expected to suffer complications. In other cases, however, antiviral therapy is strongly recommended, for example in:<\/p>\n