Why Does Shingles Recur?

by | Jan 16, 2020 | Shingles | 0 comments

Shingles is caused by the chickenpox or herpes zoster virus, which lies dormant in your body after the symptoms of chickenpox have healed. It stays dormant for many years, even decades, and one in five people it can reactivate as shingles. While medical experts do not understand why it can flare up in some people and not in others, or the exact mechanisms that cause it to erupt, there are effective treatment options available to relieve the symptoms, and low cost medical services in Las Vegas  can make them available to you at an affordable cost.

When the virus is reactivated in the body it moves along a sensory nerve and causes the shingles rash to erupt on the skin. It usually only affects one side of the body, and the rash generally presents in a band-shape, which is one of the criteria your doctor will use to make a diagnosis. Most people feel a painful, burning or tingling sensation on the affected area one to three days before the rash presents, although in some cases the rash may not show up. The rash is made up of a red patch of skin with bumps and fluid-filled blisters. It can take as long as 10 to 12 days for the rash to scab over.

Shingles occurs most frequently in people over the age of 60, and there are about a million cases reported in the United States every year. People who have had chickenpox can get shingles, and those with HIV, cancer or immune deficiency diseases are also at risk. It can be extremely painful and uncomfortable to the touch, and the person may be so sensitive he or she will need to leave the area unclothed.

In some people, a more severe condition called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) develops, which means the pain stays after the rash has healed. People over the age of 50 are at the greatest risk of developing this complication. You need to have treatment as soon as possible to shorten your illness, ideally within 24 to 72 hours for the antivirals to take effect. It is important that you seek emergency medical treatment in the event that symptoms present in the face or close to the eyes. If the rash appears on more than one part, or opposing sides, on your body, you need to make sure you see your doctor straight away. low cost medical care in Las Vegas offer medical care that is convenient and affordable and will be able to help you relieve your symptoms quickly.