How Long Do The Shingles Usually Last

Are There Home Remedies For Treating Shingles

Although shingles will usually go away on its own once it has run its course and the scabs have healed, you can take steps at home to help alleviate pain and discomfort.

Some home remedies for treating shingles include:

• taking cool oatmeal baths
• applying calamine lotion to soothe your skin
• applying cool compresses to the blisters
• wearing loose clothing made from cotton or linen

When possible, try also doing activities that help take your mind off the pain. These activities can include watching a TV series, reading a book, listening to music, or talking with a friend.

Telling a family member or friend about how the pain is affecting you can also help.

How Long Does Postherpetic Neuralgia Last

Postherpetic neuralgia can last for weeks, months, or in some people, years after the shingles rash goes away. In most people, shingles pain goes away in one to three months. However, in one in five people, pain lasts more than one year.

The pain from PHN can be so severe in some people that it disrupts their life. Researchers dont know why some people have severe or long-lasting pain and others do not.

Why Is My Shingles Not Going Away

The virus can remain dormant in the body’s nerve cells after childhood and reactivate decades later. When the pain caused by shingles doesn’t go away after the rash and blisters clear up, the condition is called postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common shingles complication.

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Lasting Pain After Shingles

Pain that continues for a long time after a shingles rash has disappeared is called post-herpetic neuralgia. This is the most common complication of shingles. Its still not clear how it can be prevented or what the best treatment is.

Shingles typically causes a rash accompanied by pain in the affected area. The pain normally goes away when the rash goes away. This usually happens after two to four weeks. Pain that continues for longer is referred to as post-herpetic neuralgia. The word âpost-herpeticâ means âpost-herpesâ because the pain arises after infection by the herpes zoster virus. In very rare cases pain can come back after a shingles infection, even if it had already gone away and the rash has disappeared.

The main symptom of post-herpetic neuralgia is pain in the nerves . The skin is often overly sensitive and itchy as well. This can make it difficult or painful to wash yourself, turn over in bed, or hug someone. The pain and itching can be very severe and might keep you from sleeping.

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Can I Give Shingles To Others

No one can catch shingles from you. But the virus can be spread to a person who has never had chickenpox. The virus lives in the blisters that shingles causes. It can be spread until the blisters are completely healed. If you have blisters that have not crusted over yet, you should stay away from:

• Anyone who has never had chickenpox
• Babies under 12 months old
• Very sick people

Tell your doctor if you live with children who have not had chickenpox. They may need to be vaccinated.

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What Are The Complications Of Shingles

Symptoms of shingles usually dont last longer than 3 to 5 weeks. However, complications can happen. The main complications that can result from shingles include:

• Postherpetic neuralgia . The most common complication of shingles is called postherpetic neuralgia . This continuous, chronic pain lasts even after the skin lesions have healed. The pain may be severe in the area where the blisters were present. The affected skin may be very sensitive to heat and cold. If you had severe pain during the active rash or have impaired senses, you are at increased risk for PHN. The elderly are also at greater risk. Early treatment of shingles may prevent PHN. Pain relievers and steroid treatment may be used to treat the pain and inflammation. Other treatments include antiviral drugs, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical agents.
• Bacterial infection. A bacterial infection of the skin where the rash happens is another complication. Rarely, infections can lead to more problems, such as tissue death and scarring. When an infection happens near or on the eyes, a corneal infection can happen. This can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.

What Outcome Can I Expect If I Have Postherpetic Pain

Theres no standard treatment for the symptoms of postherpetic pain . Depending on the severity of your pain, you may start with over-the-counter products. If your pain is more severe, one or more prescription medications may be tried. PHN is difficult to treat. Achieving a complete symptom-free state was achieved in less than half the patients with PHN, according to one study.

PHN tends to happen in older individuals who may have other health conditions, which can complicate treatment and results. Pain can last weeks, months and even longer than a year. In some people, the pain can be debilitating. In most people, PHN lessens with time.

A note from Cleveland ClinicThe best way to not get postherpetic neuralgia is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Varicella-zoster virus causes both chickenpox and shingles. Vaccines are available to protect against developing both of these viral infections.

Once you develop chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus remains in your body for life. If the virus reactivates and causes shingles, you have a few days around the rash outbreak to see your provider and get an antiviral medication, which can significantly lessen your symptoms. Still, if you develop PHN, your provider has many medications available to manage your symptoms.

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Key Points About Shingles

• Shingles is a common viral infection of the nerves. It causes a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin.
• Shingles is caused when the chickenpox virus is reactivated.
• It is more common in people with weakened immune systems, and in people over the age of 50.
• Shingles starts with skin sensitivity, tingling, itching, and/or pain followed by rash that looks like small, red spots that turn into blisters.
• The rash is typically affects just one area on one side of the body or face.
• Treatment that is started as soon as possible helps reduce the severity of the disease.

How Long Does A New Roof Last Shingle Flat And Metal

The life expectancy of any roofing material depends on the type of material you are choosing. However, how long your roof will last can be lengthened or shortened due to correct or incorrect installation, harsh weather, maintenance, and your promptness to act on the first sign of damage.

We will walk through the most common materials and what their typical service life is, along with the manufacturers warranty on the material. These lifespans assume that all roof decking was in good standing, underlayment was laid, and the materials were installed in compliance with best practices.

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Focus On Prevention Doctors Say

Prevention is the best way to avoid a shingles episode.

There is a vaccine that prevents the onset of shingles in people exposed to chickenpox. The CDC recommends that people age 60 and older get one dose of the vaccine. Vaccines are readily available at a doctors office and drug stores. In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration extended the vaccine use for people aged 50 to 59.

Wigand-Bolling said the vaccine reduces the incidence of shingles by 51% and the neuralgia associated with shingles by 67%. The doctor said the vaccine is injected and once vaccinated a person is protected for life.

Unless contraindicated because of pregnancy or being an organ transplant recipient or on chemotherapy, everyone over age 50 should be vaccinated, Wigand-Bolling said. I would recommend getting vaccinated to patients who may not have had chicken pox, or those who dont remember having chicken pox.

More than 90% of those identified in the study at increased risk of stroke and heart attack after a shingles episode hadnât been vaccinated for shingles. The people in the study who had the vaccine still got shingles, itâs worth noting.

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Roofing Cost Per Square Foot

When calculating roofing costs per square, asphalt shingles run from $350 and $500 per square, metal or tin roofs costs $600 to $1,200 per square, and concrete or clay costs between $1,200 and $1,800 per square. If you are replacing your current roof, add $125 to $500 per roofing square for old roof removal.

When looking at roofing materials prices, the term per square is used to describe a 10×10 area . The term Per Square in a bid is used as an all-inclusive phrase that covers all materials and labor.

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Is It Possible To Prevent Postherpetic Neuralgia

If shingles can be prevented, then PHN can be prevented. Fortunately, the vaccine Zostavax is about 70% effective in preventing shingles. The CDC recommends that everyone older than 60 years of age get the vaccine in 2011, the FDA approved the vaccine for people aged 50 and above. The CDC states, Zostavax should not be given to pregnant women, persons with a primary or acquired immunodeficiency, or to persons with a history of anaphylactic reaction to gelatin, neomycin, or any other component of the vaccine. Herpes zoster vaccine can be administered simultaneously with other indicated vaccines.

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How Is Shingles Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will do a complete physical exam and ask about your medical history, specifically about whether you have ever had chickenpox.

Your healthcare provider will likely know right away that it is shingles based on the unique rash. The rash usually appears one area on one side of the body or face. It appears as red spots, small fluid- or pus-filled vesicles, or scabs.

The healthcare provider may also take skin scrapings for testing.

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Lifespan Of Asphalt Shingles

The longevity of asphalt shingles almost totally depends on where they have been installed and if they have been installed properly. Shingles found in cooler places in the United States last longer than those in warmer climates. The average lifespan for shingles, which is normally around 20 years, is determined to be about 14 years for the warmer environments, such as the Southwest whereas, in the North and Northeastern regions of the United States, asphalt shingles last anywhere from 19 to more than 20 years.

Is Shingles Contagious

It is not possible to catch shingles from someone else with the condition, or from someone with chickenpox.

However, it is possible for someone who has never had chickenpox to catch it from someone with shingles, as the shingles blisters contains the live virus.

In the UK, chickenpox is so common during childhood that 9 out of 10 adults have already had it and will not be at risk from someone with shingles.

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Is Your Roof Defective

And how can you tell if your roof might be defective?

If your roof is relatively new and you are seeing issues like shingles buckling and curling, granules coming off asphalt shingles, missing shingles, or other similar problems, then your roof might be defective and you should reach out to the roofers in your area or contractor who built or installed it, as well as your insurance company.

This goes doubly so if the insurance company paid for your roof due to damage from a weather event or disaster.

If your roof is only a few years old and you are noticing any of the aforementioned issues, then you might need to get your roof looked at by professionals because it could become a bigger problem, especially if you are considering selling your house in the near future.

Also keep in mind that the value of your house may increase or decrease depending on the age of your roof, so if you are planning on moving in the near future, you may want to get your roof assessed before you put the property on the market.

Moreover, if you are thinking of purchasing a new home or other property, then you should make sure that the roof is relatively new and in good repair if not, youll want to ensure that the property is priced accordingly and be aware that you may need to replace the roof soon.

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How Long Will The Effects Last

The rash from shingles will heal in 1 to 3 weeks and the pain or irritation will usually go away in 3 to 5 weeks. When shingles occurs on the head or scalp, the symptoms usually go away eventually, but it may take many months.

If the virus damages a nerve, you may have pain, numbness, or tingling for months or even years after the rash is healed. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. This chronic condition is most likely to occur after a shingles outbreak in people over 50 years old. Taking antiviral medicine as soon as the shingles is diagnosed may help prevent this problem.

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The First Symptoms Of Shingles

Early symptoms of shingles can appear several days before the more obvious symptoms. However, some people will not have early symptoms before a rash appears.

The most common early symptoms occur on one part of the body or face. This often happens in the abdominal area.

These symptoms many include:

The pain can worsen as shingles develops. The pain can be sharp, stabbing, and intense.

It may also cause hypersensitivity, or an excessive reaction to touch.

There are also other early symptoms of shingles.

Although not every person with shingles will experience them, early symptoms include:

• general feeling of being unwell

Your doctor can often diagnose shingles based on these symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe medication to speed up recovery.

Medication also reduces the chance of complications, so seeking early intervention is important.

Can I Prevent Shingles

Receiving the shingles vaccine is the most effective way of preventing shingles. It is advisable to get the shingles vaccine if you:

• are over the age of 50 years
• have previously had chickenpox
• do not remember whether or not you have had chickenpox

Contact your doctor to discuss getting the shingles vaccine.

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The Stages Of Shingles Recovery

After the rash develops, which usually appears on only one side of the body, it forms blisters. You may feel like you have the flu or a mild fever. As you recover, you will typically go through these stages:

• Blisters begin to burst or weep about 5 days after they develop, and lasts from 7 to 10 days. You should take time off from work and other activities during this period, because you can spread the virus to others through the fluid in the blisters. Otherwise, you can return to work when you feel comfortable doing so.
• The blisters will scab over and begin to heal, which takes from 1 to 3 weeks, unless the rash is on your scalp in which case it can take several months.
• As they heal, the blisters become smaller and less painful, generally over a period of 3 to 5 weeks.
• About 10 to 15% of people with shingles will develop chronic nerve pain, which can be severe. Sensitivity to touch at the site of the rash is possible. The older you are, the more likely it is you will develop this disorder, called post-herpetic neuralgia, or PHN. The pain often lessens over time. Available treatments include anti-inflammatory injections, nerve blocks, certain tricyclic antidepressants, or capsaicin cream, which is made from chili peppers and can help ease nerve pain.

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 doesnt 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.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Postherpetic Neuralgia

Common postherpetic neuralgia symptoms include:

• Burning, sharp, jagging or aching pain in the area where the shingles rash appeared.
• Itchiness or numbness at or near the area of the former rash.
• Pain that is constant or comes and goes. Pain typically lasts, on average, for three months after the rash has healed, but can last for more than a year or longer.
• Pain at affected skin area can be brought on even with a light touch .
• Pain gets worse at night or in heat or cold temperatures.

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Who Should Not Get The Vaccine

Do not get the shingles vaccine if:

• You have a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, to any ingredient of a vaccine or to a previous dose of Shingrix
• You have shingles now.

• You are sick with an illness and a fever of 101°F or higher.

• You should also consider delaying the vaccine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Not enough is known about its safety for expectant and lactating women.
• You have had a negative test for varicella this would be uncommon for adults eligible for the vaccine, as most adults worldwide ages 50 and older have been exposed to the virus. You do not have to be tested before getting the vaccine.

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