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Shingles In Palm Of Hand

What Are Possible Causes Of Numbness In Hands

Shingles on the Hand Even After Shingles Shot | Auburn Medical Group

Numbness in the hands can have many causes, which run from mild and temporary to serious medical conditions. The most common cause is damage or compression of the nerves in the hand.

Other causes of numbness in the hands include:

  • Nerve damage in the hands, arm or neck
  • A herniated disc that puts pressure on the spinal nerves
  • Nerve pressure caused by tumors, infection, or enlarged blood vessels
  • Toxicology reports
  • Tests of your electrolyte levels

Several other tests may be done to rule out serious causes such as tumors and strokes. These include:

  • CT scans of the head and spine
  • MRI of the head and spine
  • Ultrasound of neck vessels
  • Angiogram to see insider the blood vessels for congestion
  • Lumbar puncture to check for nervous system disorders
  • Electromyography to check your nerve stimulation

Once your healthcare provider has determined the cause of your hand numbness, he or she will determine the best way to treat the underlying condition of this symptom.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/08/2018.

References

The Shingles Rash Usually Occurs On One Side Of The Body Or Face Most Commonly On The Trunk

Its easy to mistake a shingles rash for another health condition that affects the skin. The shingles virus typically causes a painful rash and blisters, which can resemble many other skin conditions psoriasis, eczema, and hives among them. However, there are a few signs that your rash is more likely to be shingles than something else.

To get shingles, you must have had chickenpox. Shingles, or herpes zoster, occurs when the chickenpox virus reactivates after lying dormant in the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 out of 3 people in the United States will get shingles in their lifetime. While your risk of getting shingles increases as you age, anyone can get it if they had chickenpox, notes the CDC.

About half of all shingles cases occur in adults age 60 or older, and the risk of getting shingles becomes much greater by age 70, according to the National Institute on Aging.

What Causes Shingles And Who Is At Risk

If youve had chickenpox in the past you can develop shingles.

This is because the inactive chickenpox virus stays in your nerve cells near your spine. When shingles develops its because the virus has become active again. Usually, a person will only get shingles once in their lives, but it can sometime occur again if you have a weakened immune system.

Shingles is more likely to occur in people who:

  • are aged over 50
  • have weakened immune systems, for example:
  • have HIV or AIDS
  • have had an organ transplant
  • have recently had a bone marrow transplant
  • have a condition which requires treatment that affects the immune system, such as chemotherapy for cancer.

Also Check: Does Shingles Affect The Eyes

What Is The Prognosis For Chickenpox Vs Hand Foot And Mouth Disease

Chickenpox Prognosis

Prior to the introduction of a chickenpox vaccine program, approximately 4 million cases occurred annually in the United States 10,000 patients were hospitalized annually, and an average of 100 deaths occurred. The majority of deaths occurred in those who had no identifiable risk factor . Chickenpox should not be viewed as a childhood “rite of passage” and is not merely an inconvenience.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Prognosis

Appropriate infection control practices are recommended to prevent the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Good hand hygiene is always important. Children infected with the virus causing hand, foot, and mouth disease generally have mild illness and recover within one week of developing symptoms. There is no vaccine however, the illness is typically mild and self-limited, and children generally cannot develop the illness twice. In addition, most adults have persistent immunity and cannot become infected either.

Any high fever in a very young infant should be evaluated by a healthcare practitioner. For older infants and children, as long as the child has adequate oral intake, this particular illness can be managed comfortably at home.

Preventing The Spread Of Chickenpox

Figured I would add my atypical site

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. You catch it by coming into contact with someone who is infected.

The Public Health Agency recommends if your child has chickenpox you should inform their school or nursery and keep them at home while they are infectious. This is until the last blister has crusted over.

This usually takes five or six days after the rash begins.

If you have chickenpox, stay off work and at home until you’re no longer infectious.

If either you or your child has chickenpox, it is also a good idea for you, or them, to avoid contact with:

  • anyone who has a weak immune system, such as people who are having chemotherapy or taking steroid tablets

If someone in your household has chickenpox, you can help stop the virus spreading by wiping any objects or surfaces with a sterilising solution and making sure that any infected clothing or bedding is washed regularly.

Also Check: Can Shingles Break Out On Your Legs

Ringworm Causes An Itchy Red Circular Rash

Ringworm is a skin infection that, despite its name, is caused by a fungus, whereas the shingles rash is caused by a virus, according to the CDC. Ringworm can cause a red, itchy, circular rash on your skin. It may also cause scaly, cracked skin and hair loss. The rash can appear on any part of your body, 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. Some forms of ringworm can be treated with over-the-counter medication, while others must be treated with prescription antifungal medication.

Who Gets Herpes Zoster

Anyone who has had varicella may subsequently develop herpes zoster. Zoster can occur in childhood but is much more common in adults, especially older people. People with various kinds of cancer have a 40% increased risk of developing zoster. People who have had zoster rarely get it again the chance of getting a second episode is about 1%.

Herpes zoster often affects people with weak immunity.

Read Also: Does L Lysine Help With Shingles

Hand Foot And Mouth Disease

  • ulcers in the mouth
  • loss of appetite

People sometimes confuse HFMD with foot and mouth disease. However, these are separate conditions. Foot and mouth disease can only affect livestock and does not affect humans.

Usually, HFMD is not serious and resolves without treatment in 7â10 days. In the meantime, OTC pain medication can help relieve symptoms.

However, HFMD is contagious and spreads easily. People can help prevent spreading the virus by practicing hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with others.

Shingles Pain On Hand And Thumb

How to prevent and treat hand rashes
Goodwater_Betty

I’ve had shingles for about seven weeks. It was on my left arm, hand, and thumb. The fingers were unaffected. Most of it is gone but the worst places, on my hand and thumb, seem raw and very sore and tender now. Is there any cream that I can use to help them heal and relieve the pain? It’s pretty intense and is so annoying.

1 like, 4 replies

  • Hi Betty,

    I am sorry for your suffering.

    Also, my internet connection was down for several days, so I apologise for the delay in responding.

    As far as treating the pain of Herpes Zoster-Shingles, you realize that you have Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN. Here are your options.

    Ansesthetic TopicslLidocaine patches 12 hours on,

    12 hours off

    Anti-neuralgia medication Lyrica or Neurontin pills

    Antidepressant Cymbalta or Venlafaxine pills

    Often, depending on the severity of the pain, you might require a combination of two or three types of pain medications.

    The above medications need to be prescribed by a neurologist or someone with expertise in pain management. Lyrica, Neurontin, Cymbalta, and Venlafaxine all are tapered up, then down.

    Cold/ice compresses

    Many Physicians lack the expertise regarding chronic pain management.

    Rest your hand and arm. The more you use it, the more pain you will have. Are you right or left hand dominant?

    Do you still struggle with the fatigue and exhaustion?

    Best wishes

Also Check: Does Priority Health Cover Shingles Vaccine

Chickenpox Is Caused By The Same Virus

The same virus, varicella zoster virus, causes both chickenpox and shingles.

Chickenpox typically causes an itchy rash that spreads over the entire body, as opposed to just one side of the body or face like shingles. More than 99 percent of Americans born on or before 1980 have had chickenpox, per the CDC. If you dont know if you had chickenpox, check with your family doctor, who can review your records.

Hives Can Cause Itchy Red Bumps

Hives are red or skin-colored bumps that can cause mild to severe itching, according to the ACAAI. They typically appear suddenly and disappear quickly. Pressing the middle of a red bump will make it turn white, which is known as blanching. Hives can be caused by a number of triggers, including allergies, cold or hot weather, and infections.

Also Check: Is It A Rash Or Shingles

Burning Feeling And Red Rash

Between 1 and 5 days after you start to feel the tingling or numb feeling, a red rash will develop on the same area of your skin. Most often, the rash appears on one side of your torso, but it can show up anywhere on your body.

You may also have other symptoms along with the rash, such as:

When the rash starts, you should see a doctor for treatment as soon as possible. Starting antiviral medication treatment within 3 days of the rash first appearing can lower your risk of developing complications, like long-term pain.

How To Treat Chickenpox At Home

Shingles on hands pictures

Chickenpox can usually be treated at home.

You or your child will probably feel pretty miserable and uncomfortable, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms.

The following can help:

  • use paracetamol to relieve fever and discomfort don’t use anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, as they can sometimes make people with chickenpox very ill
  • tap or pat the skin rather than scratching it it’s important to avoid scratching because this can lead to further problems
  • drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated

You can also buy calamine lotion, moisturising creams, cooling gels or an antihistamine medicine called chlorpheniramine to help reduce itching and soothe the skin.

Never give aspirin to a child under 16 as it can be dangerous for them.

Always read the packet or leaflet that comes with the medicine to check if it’s suitable and how much to take. Speak to a pharmacist or your GP if you’re unsure.

Don’t Miss: How To Repair Broken Shingles

Measles Rash Looks Like Flat Red Spots

Like the shingles rash and herpes simplex, measles is caused by a virus. Measles is highly contagious. Symptoms of measles typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, according to the CDC. Three to five days later, a rash that looks like flat red spots appears, normally starting on the face at the hairline and spreading down the body to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Measles is a very serious disease that can lead to complications and death fortunately, it can be prevented with a measles vaccine.

Can Shingles Be Passed On To Others

You cant catch shingles from another person with shingles, but the virus responsible for chickenpox can be passed on by someone with shingles to a person who has not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it. This can happen when a person comes into contact with the fluid from the blisters. To prevent passing the virus on, keep the rash covered with clothing or a dressing and always clean your hands after you touch the rash or change any dressing.

Also Check: Is It Possible To Have Shingles Without Pain

What Are The Symptoms Of Chickenpox Vs Hand Foot And Mouth Disease

Chickenpox Symptoms

Rash

Healthy children generally experience one to two days of fever, sore throat, and malaise approximately 2 weeks following exposure to VZV. Within 24 hours of these symptoms, a characteristic rash develops initially on the torso and then spreads over the next 7 to 10 days outward to the head, arms, and legs. Skin lesions progress through a predictable evolution from a red papule to blister to a pustule , which then scabs over. The vesicle and pustular fluids are highly concentrated with infectious virus particles.

New lesions characteristically come in recurring “waves” over the skin surface. The patient may thus have newly formed papules, middle-aged vesicles and pustules, and crusted lesions all at the same time. At the peak of the disease, a patient may have over 300 skin lesions at one time. Once all lesions are scabbed over and no new lesions are developing, the person is no longer contagious. The lesions rarely cause permanent scarring, unless secondary infection develops . Lesions may commonly be found in the mouth and may also involve the genitalia.

Complications

In healthy children, chickenpox is a mild disease. Adults are 25% more likely to have significant complications from the diseases. Common complications affecting both children and adults include the following:

Chickenpox and Pregnancy

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Symptoms

  • general malaise

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Shingles

Fever and rash on palms and soles

Shingles causes a painful, blistering rash on your skin. If you get shingles, you may notice the following:

  • Before the rash appears: For 1 to 2 days before the rash appears, you may have pain, burning, or tingling on an area of skin where the rash will develop. Some people say they felt an electrical sensation on their skin before getting the rash.

  • Rash appears: A painful, blistering rash appears. It usually appears on one side of your body, often on the torso however, it can appear anywhere on your skin. Some people get more blisters after the rash appears, so it can seem that the rash is spreading.

  • Rash starts to clear: As the rash clears, the blisters may crack open, bleed, and scab over. For most people, the rash will clear within 2 to 4 weeks.

Although the rash will clear on its own, treatment is important. Taking medication within 3 days of getting the shingles rash can:

  • Reduce your risk of developing other health problems, such as long-lasting nerve pain, pneumonia, or hearing loss

Shingles rash on the face

If you have a shingles rash on your face, immediately seeing a doctor for treatment could save your eyesight.

Also Check: Can You Get Shingles More Than Once

Herpes Zoster On The Hand And Fingers

Review Date:

5/30/2012

Reviewed By:

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

Forms Of Herpes Zoster Include The:

Herpes zoster oftalmicus, Herpes zoster of maxillary branch of cranial nerve V, herpes zoster of mandibular branch of CN V, herpes zoster oticus , glossopharyngeal and vagal herpes zoster, herpes occipitocollaris , herpes zoster encephalomyelitis, disseminated herpes zoster, unilateral herpes zoster involving multiple dermatomes, recurrent herpes zoster, herpes zoster involving urinary bladder, bronchi, pleural spaces, or gastrointestinal tract, herpes zoster with motor complications .

Recommended Reading: Is Tylenol Or Advil Better For Shingles Pain

Psoriasis Forms Red Patches On The Skin

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is easy to confuse with the shingles rash. As with the shingles virus, psoriasis forms red patches on the skin, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. One type of psoriasis pustular can lead to the development of blisters. Areas of skin affected by psoriasis often develop into silvery scales on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Treatment can help control the condition.

How Is Shingles Treated

shingles on palms of hands

Shingles is generally diagnosed by a doctor, who will usually examine you and may also test the fluid from the blisters. There is no cure for shingles, but it can be treated with antiviral medication. Treatment works best if started within three days and should ideally be started within 24 hours of the rash appearing.

Recommended Reading: How Much Should Shingles Overhang

What Causes Herpes Zoster

After primaryinfectionvaricellaVZV remains dormant in dorsal root ganglianerve cells in the spine for years before it is reactivated and migrates down sensory nerves to the skin to cause herpes zoster.

It is not clear why herpes zoster affects a particular nerve fibre. Triggering factors are sometimes recognised, such as:

  • Pressure on the nerve roots
  • Radiotherapy at the level of the affected nerve root
  • Contact with someone with varicella or herpes zoster

What Causes Chickenpox Vs Hand Foot And Mouth Disease

Chickenpox Causes

The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox. The disease is highly contagious over 90% of nonimmune individuals will develop chickenpox following exposure.

VZV spreads by both direct skin-to-skin contact and via respiratory droplets from the infected individual. While the average incubation period from viral exposure to onset of symptoms is 12-14 days, symptoms may appear as early as 10 days or as late as 21 days after exposure to the virus.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Causes

  • Hand, foot, and mouth disease is generally caused by coxsackievirus A-16, which is a member of the enterovirus family.
  • There are other types of enteroviruses that can cause the symptoms as well, but these are less common.

Children usually become infected with the virus from other children in an fecal-oral pattern that is, infection is acquired from exposure to infected fecal material or oral secretions .

The incubation period is usually 5 days.

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