Herpes Zoster

Herpes zoster is a painful blistering rash caused by renascence of varicella, the chickenpox virus. Herpes zoster demonstrates as a vesicular rash, usually in a single dermatome. Growth of the rash may be preceded by paresthesias or pain along the involved dermatome. Herpes zoster can cause various problems with the eye and surrounding skin that may have long term effects. People whose capability to ward off disease is weakened are more prone to develop zoster. It is caused by the same virus which causes chickenpox. After an invasion of chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the body.

It affects some 1 million people per year in the United States and can involve excruciating pain. They are also more likely to have a serious form of it. Many patients develop a painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia that is often difficult to manage. The herpes virus which causes shingles and chicken pox is not the alike as the herpes virus that causes genital herpes (which can be transmitted) and herpes mouth sores. Shingles is clinically termed Herpes zoster.

Herpes zoster can be infectious through direct contact to an individual who has not had chickenpox, and hence has no immunity. Shingles can also be targeted by skin trauma, such as sunburn or injury, and emotional stress. Herpes zoster may be linked with a secondary bacterial infection (typically streptococcal or staphylococcal) of the vesicular rash. Many who savor this infection find it extremely painful. This severly painful episode usually lasts several weeks; however, some continue to experience pain or neuralgia long after the outbreak has cleared. 

In many patients, herpes zoster can reactivate subclinically with pain in a dermatomal distribution without rash. If an adult or child is exposed to the herpes zoster virus and has not had chickenpox as a child or get the chickenpox vaccine, a acute case of chickenpox may develop, rather than shingles. Children who have weakened immune systems may experience the same, or more acute, signs as adults. Blisters can happen in more than one area and the virus may affect internal organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, the lungs and the brain.

Causes of Herpes zoster

The common causes and risk factor's of Herpes zoster involve the following:

• Chicken-pox virus.
• Decreased cellular immunity is a causative factor.
• It can also be triggered by skin trauma, named sunburn or injury, and emotional stress.
• Human immunovirus infection, malignancy, systemic lupus erythematosus, and the use of immunosuppressive agents.

Symptoms of Herpes zoster

Some sign and symptoms related to Herpes zoster are as follows:

• Vision abnormalities.
• Red, sensitive, sore skin.
• Loss of eye motion (ophthalmoplegia).
• Grouped, dense, deep, small blisters that ooze and crust.
• Swollen eyelids.
• Shingles is usually painful, this is due to the virus travels along the nerve to get to the skin resulting in inflammation and damage to the nerve.
• The rash is typically carried by a fever and enlarged lymph nodes.
• Rash is usually generalized to one side of the body.

Treatment of Herpes zoster

Here is list of the methods for treating Herpes zoster:

• Acyclovir is an antiviral medication which may be prescribed to shorten the course, minimize pain, reduce complications, or protect an immunocompromised individual.
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may occasionally be used to reduce inflammation and chance of post-herpetic neuralgia.
• Eye drops and ointments may be adviced to treat ocular problems. 
• Lotions (ie, Calamine) may help relieve discomfort.
• Later, when the crusts and scabs are separating, your skin may become dry, tense, and cracked. If that happens, rub on a small amount of white petrolatum (plain Vaseline) three or four times a day.
• Injections of cortisone, especially if straight into the portion of nerve pain can help ease this pain.

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