Can Shingles Be On Your Legs

Whos At Risk For Shingles

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can get shingles, but the risk increases with age. People older than age 60 are up to 10 times more likely to get shingles than younger people. Other factors that increase your risk include:

• Some cancer medicines
• A weak immune system from illnesses such as cancer or HIV

A quarter of adults will develop shingles at some point, and most are otherwise healthy.

Steroid Medication For Shingles

Steroids help to reduce swelling . A short course of steroid tablets may be considered in addition to antiviral medication. This may help to reduce pain and speed healing of the rash. However, the use of steroids in shingles is controversial. Your doctor will advise you. Steroids do not prevent PHN.

Is A Vaccine Available To Prevent Shingles

Two vaccines are available in the United States to reduce your chance of developing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. One vaccine, Zostavax®, has been available since 2006. The second vaccine, Shingrix®, has been available since 2017. Shingrix is recommended as the preferred vaccine by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group of medical and public health experts.

Shingrix is given as a two-dose shot in your upper arm. You should receive the second dose two to six months after receiving the first. Shingrix has been shown to be more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. Its effectiveness remains above 85% for at least four years after receiving the vaccine.

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What Is The Treatment For Shingles

Momentarily, the remedies are limited and far between. Customarily, keeping the skin void of moisture, lack of tight clothing, and topical cremes. Antiviral drugs, like Zovirax and Valtrex , can often aid in recovery.

The treatment for shingles leg pain is usually just analgesics like paracetamol and ibuprofen. With more severe pain and PHN, intenser analgesic meds can be prescribed and even corticosteroids and antidepressants.

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Treatment can vary though, depending on each case. Some individuals are more likely to get shingles and are prone to more complications, especially people with suppressed immune systems. These can include cancer, lupus, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients.

Shingles On Legs : Pain Symptoms Treatment And Pictures

A common denominator among the majority of adults both young and old is a somewhat vain characteristicand caring about your gorgeousness is ornery. The epidermis is amongst the attributes straightway noticed by others, thus making it vital with first impressions. Blisteringly perceptible botherations like shingles are inopportune, ruinous, and nominally awkward.

Conjointly, pain is oftentimes amalgamated with shingles, making it an even more unappealing disease. Especially a shingles rash on the legs can be unprepossessing and awfully torturous. Its preferable to dodge it in entirety or detect and treat it early.

However, thats problematic since many dont know enough about shingles, which is why we strive to enlighten you a little more in the following.

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Hives Caused By Infection

Heather L. Brannon, MD

Hives are considered to be idiopathic, meaning that an outbreak can happen spontaneously and the cause isnt always known. If a cause can be found, the most common cause is an infection. This photo is an example of hives caused by a viral infection.

Other possible causes include an allergic reaction, stress, exercise, sun exposure, pressure on the skin, scratching, and chemical exposure.

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Who Is At Risk For Getting Shingles

People who have had chickenpox who are more likely to develop shingles include those:

• With a weakened immune system .
• Over the age of 50.
• Who have been ill.
• Who have experienced trauma.
• Who are under stress.

The chickenpox virus doesnt leave your body after you have chickenpox. Instead, the virus stays in a portion of your spinal nerve root called the dorsal root ganglion. For the majority of people, the virus stays there quietly and doesn’t cause problems. Researchers aren’t always sure why the virus gets reactivated, but this typically occurs at times of stress.

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Is Shingles An Infectious Disease

When the blisters are present on an individuals skin, it is in the stage where another person can be prone to catching it. It is best to avoid interacting with such individuals until the blisters are gone. This is because the disease is transmitted via airborne or water droplets. If this virus infects you, it is best advised to stay home isolated until you are clear of the blisters. Once the blisters have dried out and crusted, you can slowly come out of isolation.

You are not alone if you have shingles. Thousands of individuals in the US are victims of this illness every year and recover if they take proper care and precaution. Therefore it is not something to worry about. Instead, visit your doctor at the first sign or susceptible symptom of shingles.

Works Cited

Mayo clinic. . www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/symptoms-causes/syc-20353054

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How Do You Get Shingles

Everyone who has had chickenpox has VZV in their body and is at risk for getting shingles. Right now, there is no way of knowing who will get the disease. But, some things make it more likely:

• Advanced age. The risk of getting shingles increases as you age. People may have a harder time fighting off infections as they get older. About half of all shingles cases are in adults age 60 or older. The chance of getting shingles becomes much greater by age 70.
• Trouble fighting infections. Your immune system is the part of your body that responds to infections. Age can affect your immune system. So can an HIV infection, cancer, cancer treatments, too much sun, or organ transplant drugs. Even stress or a cold can weaken your immune system for a short time. These all can put you at risk for shingles.

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Should I See A Doctor For Shingles

It is usually worth seeing a doctor to be certain about the diagnosis and to see if you need treatment or not. Ideally you should see a doctor as soon as possible after the rash appears.

The rash of shingles can be very painful. So even if the doctor doesn’t think you need an anti-shingles medicine, they may be able to give you stronger painkillers than those you can buy over the counter from the chemist.

Contact Dermatitis Can Cause A Rash And Blisters

Contact dermatitis can also cause a rash, blisters, itching, and burning, per the ACAAI. It occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or an allergen, such as soaps, laundry detergents, shampoos, metals, medications, and more. Allergens like poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac can cause red, itchy rashes that may include blisters. Treatment can offer relief and aid healing.

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Shingles On Both Ankles

The reasons for ankle rashes vary vastly from eczema to skin cancer. However, since nerve endings are present in feet, shingles on both ankles are possible, yet unlikely. The rash normally manifests unilaterally. Nevertheless, this is a remarkably vulnerable zone because of soreness having an effect on a persons capableness to be fit, mobile, and afoot.

If I Have Disseminated Zoster/shingles What Can I Expect For My Hospital Stay

It is important to note that most people with shingles do not need to be in a hospital, but if you do:

• You will be in an airborne-contact isolation room.
• The door will be kept closed.
• A sign on your door will remind people who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine not to enter.
• The sign will also remind staff to wear gowns and gloves when entering the room.

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General Measures To Alleviate Shingles Symptoms

Loose-fitting cotton clothes are best to reduce irritating the affected area of skin. Pain may be eased by cooling the affected area with ice cubes , wet dressings, or a cool bath. A non-adherent dressing that covers the rash when it is blistered and raw may help to reduce pain caused by contact with clothing. Simple creams may be helpful if the rash is itchy. Calamine lotion can help to cool the skin and reduce mild itchiness.

Important Information About All Medicines

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The Pain From Shingles On The Legs

If youve ever queried what it looks like and viewed pictures of a shingles rash on the legs you already grasp that it looks terrifyingly, exceedingly, and horrifically arduous. Sometimes, the pain from shingles on the legs is so severe that patients cant wear trousers because of the slight chafing of the dermis by fabric.

You can also get postherpetic neuralgia after the outbreak has dematerialized. Its long term pain caused by the CNS being permanently affected by the shingles rash. If the pain lasts post-shingles rash on the leg, telephone your primary care physician.

Identifying And Treating Shingles On Your Leg And Groin

If you have a collection of blisters or rashes on your skin, its a sign of shingles. While shingles often appear as a band on your torso , you can face an outbreak anywhere on the body, and your groin and leg are no exception.

In fact, a case report from 2011 found that the face and trunk are two of the most common areas that face shingles outbreaks. While people do face penile shingles, cases are rare. It is worth noting that shingles are often itchy and painful, regardless of where they form on your body.

That is why it is crucial to seek professional medical assistance and contact expert skincare physician Dr. Elizabeth Pensler before it becomes a serious problem. Usually, medical professionals treat shingles with antiviral drugs to clear them up within weeks.

As a shingles outbreak has a typically distinctive appearance, you can differentiate it from rashes that stem from allergy. Lets delve into details and learn more about identifying and treating shingles on your leg and groin.

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How Exactly Does One Get Shingles

If you have suffered from chickenpox, the chances are that you will catch this as well. This is because the varicella virus can enter your body during your infection with the chickenpox and lie dormant in your body for quite a long time. This virus is located in and near the nerve tissues of your spinal cord. The shingles soreness is characterized by the fact that this virus is also capable of causing herpes, and hence it brings along similar symptoms. Although the root cause for why this occurs is unclear, it has been seen that an adult with a weak immunity will be suspectable to catch this illness more likely.

What Are The Symptoms Of Herpes Zoster

The rash associated with herpes zoster most often occurs on the trunk and buttocks. It may also appear on the arms, legs or face. While symptoms may vary child to child, the most common include:

• skin hypersensitivity in the area where the herpes zoster is to appear
• mild rash, which appears after five days and first looks like small, red spots that turn into blisters
• blisters, which turn yellow and dry, often leaving small, pitted scars
• rash goes away in one to two weeks
• rash is usually localized to one side of the body

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How Long Does Shingles Last

Shingles blisters usually scab over in 7-10 days and disappear completely in two to four weeks. In most healthy people, the blisters leave no scars, and the pain and itching go away after a few weeks or months. But people with weakened immune systems may develop shingles blisters that do not heal in a timely manner.

Revolutionary Relief Is At Hand

While theres no cure for shingles, Dr. Klein has effective treatments for this agonizing condition and the postherpetic neuralgia that often follows.

PHN usually occurs in the same general location as the shingles outbreak. It causes intense throbbing pain that can come and go for weeks or longer in approximately 15% of patients. Shingles and subsequent PHN can make even the simplest activities painfully difficult, causing depression and anxiety. When located near your eyes, shingles can cause vision loss, so its important to discuss your condition with Dr. Klein or one of our team.

Vaccination remains the best way to reduce your risk of shingles and PHN in the first place. As of November of 2020, Shingrix replaced Zostavax® as the CDCs vaccine of choice in the United States. Two doses are more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and PHN. Additional treatments include:

• Intercostal nerve block: the doctor injects steroid medication beneath each rib to reduce pain and inflammation
• Antiviral medications: includes valacyclovir and acyclovir
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: such as ibuprofen, to ease pain and swelling
• Antihistamines to lessen the itch
• Numbing creams or patches with lidocaine or capsaicin

Dr. Klein recommends keeping the shingles rash clean and covered to prevent its spread. As difficult as it may be, avoid touching or scratching the blisters.

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Can I Get Shingles If I Havent Had Chickenpox

No. You cant get shingles if youve never had chickenpox, but you can get chickenpox from someone who has shingles. If youve never had chickenpox and you come into direct contact with the oozing, blister-like rash of someone with shingles, the varicella-zoster virus can infect you and you would develop chickenpox.

Once youve had chickenpox, you could develop shingles at some point in your life. This is because the varicella-zoster virus never fully goes away after youve had chickenpox. It lies quietly inactive in your nerve tissue. Later in life, the virus may become active again and appears as shingles.

The Link Between Crohns Disease And Shingles

If youve never had chicken pox, as a child or as an adult, and youre exposed to the virus lets say you touch someone at the contagious, blister stage of shingles transmission could occur and youd get chicken pox.

If you havent had chicken pox, you cant get shingles. But someone who has never had chicken pox or been vaccinated for it can contract chicken pox through close contact with someone who has shingles.

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Is The Condition Curable

There is no cure for shingles, but attacks can be rendered less severe and their duration shortened with the use of prescription antiviral drugs.

Several antiviral medicinesacyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovirare available to treat shingles and shorten the length and severity of the illness. These medicines are most effective if you start taking them as soon as possible after the rash appears. If you think you have shingles, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment.

Pain medicine, either over-the-counter or a prescription from your doctor, may help relieve the pain caused by shingles. Wet compresses, calamine lotion, and colloidal oatmeal baths can also help relieve itching.

Ringworm Or Shingles Virus: A Case Of Mistaken Identity

Ringworm is an infectious skin disease that, despite its name, is caused by a fungus, whereas the shingles rash is caused by a virus. Ringworm infection causes red, itchy, scaly patches on your skin, often in several places at once. Sometimes the patches blister and ooze, much like the shingles rash. Ringworm is most common in children, and it spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact or contact with an item contaminated with the fungus, like dirty clothes or a shower floor.

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What Can I Do To Help Prevent Shingles Or A Shingles Outbreak

A vaccine may be given to help prevent shingles. You can get the vaccine even if you already had shingles. The vaccine can help prevent a future outbreak. If you do get shingles again, the vaccine can keep it from becoming severe. The vaccine comes in 2 forms. Your healthcare provider will tell you which form is right for you. The decision is based on your age and any medical conditions you have. A 2-dose vaccine is usually given to adults 50 years or older. A 1-dose vaccine may be given to adults 60 years or older.

What Are The Risk Factors For Internal Shingles

Many of the risk factors for internal shingles are the same as those for the skin rash of shingles. They include:

• Having a weakened immune system. Diseases and conditions such as HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, and autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease can make you more susceptible to shingles.
• Undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer, along with radiation and chemotherapy, also weaken your immune system and can increase your risk of a herpes zoster infection.
• Being older than 60. Shingles can occur in people of any age. However, its more common in older adults. About half the cases of shingles develop in people over 60 .
• Taking certain medications. Drugs that lower your chance of rejecting an organ transplant or treat autoimmune diseases will increase your risk of shingles. Examples include cyclosporine and tacrolimus . Extended use of steroids will also increase your risk. These medications suppress your immune system, making your body more vulnerable to infection.

Not receiving the shingles vaccine will also increase your chances of getting the condition. Even if you dont remember ever having chickenpox, you should get the shingles vaccine. Studies have shown that 99 percent of people over 40 have had chickenpox. According to the

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