Is A Stress Rash Common
Stress rashes are extremely common and can affect the daily lives of many.
They may be more common in women than men, especially those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
They also tend to flare up most often in those already predisposed to allergic hive tendencies, but they can really happen to anyone at any time.
Studies show that there is a strong correlation between high stress situations and common skin conditions amongst all types of individuals.
Home Care For Shingles
Colloidal oatmeal baths are an old standby for relieving the itch of chickenpox and can help with shingles, as well. To speed up the drying out of the blisters, try placing a cool, damp washcloth on the rash If your doctor gives you the green light, stay active while recovering from shingles. Gentle exercise or a favorite activity may help keep your mind off the discomfort.
Early Symptoms Of Shingles
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What is shingles?
The same virus that causes chickenpox causes shingles. Its called the varicella zoster virus .
VZV stays dormant in your body even after you recover from chickenpox. The chickenpox virus can reactivate years or even decades later, but its not understood why.
When this happens, a person will develop shingles. Recognizing the early symptoms is important because it can be a painful condition with severe complications.
state that almost 1 in 3 people in the US will develop shingles in their lifetime. But some people are more likely to develop shingles than others.
It is that half of all cases of shingles occur in people aged 60 years and older.
Other groups prone to developing shingles include:
- people who have had organ transplants
- people experiencing a lot of stress
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Shingles Symptoms: Before The Rash
The pain of shingles may develop even when there is no rash. The patient may experience tingling, burning pain, or sensitive skin for several days to a week before the rash appears. It may be difficult to determine the cause of the severe pain in the absence of a skin rash.
Characteristics of Pre-Rash Shingles Pain
Other Symptoms That May Occur Before Shingles Rash
How Is Shingles Diagnosed And Treated
If you think you might have shingles, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Its important to see your doctor no later than three days after the rash starts. The doctor will confirm whether you have shingles and can make a treatment plan. Most cases can be diagnosed from a visual examination. If you have a condition that weakens the immune system, your doctor may order a shingles test. Although there is no cure for shingles, early treatment with antiviral medications can help the blisters clear up faster and limit severe pain. Shingles can often be treated at home.
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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.
What Is Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter medicine you can use to treat mild itchiness . The topical pink lotion can help relieve itchiness, pain and discomfort caused by conditions such as bug bites, chickenpox and poison ivy. You can also use this medication to dry out oozing skin irritations and protect your skin. You should only use calamine lotion on your skin . The medicine can be dangerous if swallowed.
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What Is The Outlook
If you have a particularly severe case of shingles, it could take months to go away. It can also become a long-term problem for some people. If you have postherpetic neuralgia, you may need to see your doctor more often.
Complications that involve the eye or ear may require ongoing care, especially if you have lingering vision or hearing problems.
Most people have shingles only once, but it can recur. This is more likely to happen if you have a weakened immune system.
If you havent had any major complications, your symptoms should clear up within a matter of weeks with few, if any, lasting effects.
First Things First: Whats A Rash
Rashes are changes to the color, sensation, or texture of the skin. They often cause redness, itchiness, swelling, and irritation in the affected area. However, rashes come in all shapes and sizes, many different things can cause them .
Usually, a simple visual examination is all thats necessary for a medical provider to determine the type of rash, but sometimes skin testing is necessary to diagnose it. In rare cases, medical providers may not be able to pinpoint the cause at all.²
Wondering when to worry about a rash in adults? Remember, the first step is to see a medical provider for new or concerning rashes. Its always important to seek professional care when youre faced with unfamiliar skin irregularities.
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What Are The Stages Of Shingles Symptoms
There are no formal, clinical stages of shingles, but symptoms generally fall into three stages. Beginning to end, shingles can last 24 weeks.
Contact your doctor right away if you have symptoms of shingles. Early treatment with antiviral medication may help lessen the severity, speed recovery time, and lower the potential for complications.
What Triggers A Shingles Outbreak
Experts do not know what exactly triggers a shingles outbreak, but it is theorized that high levels of stress and a weakened immune system are two major factors that may play a role in VZV reactivation. In addition, the following risk factors have been shown to put you at higher risk of developing a shingles outbreak:
- Weakened immune system this may be the case after taking immunosuppressive medication after an organ transplant, undergoing chemotherapy, contracting HIV or AIDS, developing diabetes, or after a bone marrow transplant
- Older age, particularly over 50
- Experiencing high levels of physical or emotional stress
- Cancer, especially leukemia and lymphoma
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Urgent Advice: Get Advice From 111 As Soon As You Suspect Shingles
You might need medicine to help speed up your recovery and avoid longer-lasting problems.
This works best if taken within 3 days of your symptoms starting.
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or .
Get an urgent GP appointment
A GP may be able to treat you.
Ask your GP surgery for an urgent appointment.
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What Causes Internal Shingles
The varicella zoster virus causes shingles. Its the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a bout of chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the body and settles in certain nerves and tissue of the nervous system. Later in life, the virus can reactivate and present itself as shingles. Shingles typically appears on the skin along the nerve path where it had been previously dormant. If the reactivation of the virus becomes severe, it can affect not only the skin but other organs too. This is what is called systemic or internal shingles.
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Medications To Aid Recovery
Medications which may be prescribed for alleviating the physical discomfort of shingles and combating the flare-up of the varicella zoster virus may include:
- Painkilling medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , paracetamol or opioids in cases of severe pain. In some cases, antidepressants or anticonvulsants may be prescribed for their pain-relieving properties, which can work effectively in combination with other painkillers.
- Antiviral medications
What Causes Shingles To Activate
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful band-like rash caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus , the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles affects the nerves and skin, causing an itchy, scaly rash that is flat in appearance. Itching these rashes can lead to scarring and scabs on the infected area.
Shingles are quite commonit is estimated that up to 1 in 3 people will have at least one episode of shingles during their life. VZV usually hangs around harmlessly in the body, but reactivation is more common in those more than 50 years old, with a weakened immune system, or those who are experiencing physical or emotional stress.
This article addresses what causes shingles to activate.
Halfpoint Images / Getty Images
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Where Curology Comes In
Founded by a team of dermatologists in 2014, Curologys mission is to offer accessible dermatology service to all for skin concerns like acne, rosacea, and signs of aging. Curology helps take the guesswork out of your skincare routinelicensed dermatology providers work with you to examine your skin, assess your skincare goals, and provide custom treatment options. Currently, we dont treat most rashes, but our team of licensed dermatology providers is here to answer any questions you may have.
If you have sensitive skin, our dermatology providers can help develop a personalized skincare routine tailored to meet your specific skincare goals. Signing up is easy. Just answer a few questions and snap a few selfies to help us get to know your skin. If Curology is right for you, well pair you with one of our licensed dermatology providers, who will create a personalized prescription formula. Theyll also recommend any of our gentle and effective skincare products, like the Curology acne body wash or sunscreen for acne-prone skin. The best part? Your first month is on us! Just pay $4.95 to cover shipping and handling.*
Shingles Treatment: Home Remedies
Bathing is generally allowed, and the affected area can be washed with soap and water. Cool compresses and anti-itching lotions such as calamine lotion may also provide relief from symptoms. An aluminum acetate solution can be used to help dry up the blisters and oozing. Application of petroleum jelly can also aid in healing. Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine and pain medicines can also help provide relief.
Wearing loose clothing can help avoid extra pain from clothing rubbing against the rash. Avoid close skin-to-skin contact with others who have not had chickenpox, are ill, or who have a weakened immune system to avoid spread of the virus. People who do not have immunity to the virus may catch varicella by having direct contact with the lesions. In this way zoster is similar to cold sores, which are caused by a virus in the same family as varicella.
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Are There Any Side Effects To Regular Kenalog Shots For Acne
I agree with the answers by Dr Winston and Dr Israr. Intralesional injections are mainly recommended for acne cyst. As previously mentioned, frequent steroid injections can caused skin thinning and atrophy and if this happens it may be irreversible! There are many other effective treatments to get the acne under control like oral antibiotics and isotretinoin. So speak to your dermatologist and tell her your concerns and discuss if these other options are suitable for you.
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Shingles All Over The Body
Around 20% of persons who develop shingles have a rash that spreads across more than one dermatome, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The dermatomes are separate skin regions supplied by distinct spinal nerves.
Shingles is most often induced by varicella zoster virus . The rashes caused by shingles appear on the dermatomes, or nerve roots that control different areas of the body. When zoster affects three or more dermatomes, it is known as disseminated, or widespread zoster. In these situations, the rash might resemble chickenpox rather than shingles. This is more probable if your immune system is weak.
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Hows Shingles Without A Rash Diagnosed
Shingles without a rash isnt common, but it may be more common than previously thought because it often goes undiagnosed. Shingles without a rash is difficult to diagnose based on your symptoms alone.
Your doctor may test your blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or saliva to identify the presence of VZV antibodies. This will allow them to confirm a diagnosis of shingles without a rash. However, these tests are often inconclusive.
Your medical history may provide clues that suggest you have shingles without a rash. Your doctor may ask if youve had a recent operation or if youre under increased stress.
Once your doctor suspects you have VZV, theyll use antiviral medicines such as acyclovir to treat the shingles. They may also prescribe drugs for the pain.
Other treatment will vary based on the location and severity of symptoms.
How Long Does Shingles On The Face Last
According to the National Institute on Aging , many cases of shingles take 35 weeks to heal.
A rash may develop around 48 hours after experiencing initial skin sensations or a general feeling of being ill . Rash and blisters then appear and can take around 2-4 weeks to clear.
If you experience a chronic infection, you may have recurrent pain and other symptoms, such as paresthesias, lasting more than 4 weeks. This could last months to years.
However, the outlook and recovery time will vary according to the person and their condition.
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What Are The Symptoms
The first sign of shingles is often burning, sharp pain, tingling, or numbness in your skin on one side of your body or face. The most common site is the back or upper abdomen. You may have severe itching or aching. You also may feel tired and ill with fever, chills, headache, and upset stomach or belly pain.
One to 14 days after you start feeling pain, you will notice a rash of small blisters on reddened skin. Within a few days after they appear, the blisters will turn yellow, then dry and crust over. Over the next 2 weeks the crusts drop off, and the skin continues to heal over the next several days to weeks.
Because shingles usually follows nerve paths, the blisters are usually found in a line, often extending from the back or side around to the belly. The blisters are almost always on just one side of the body. Shingles usually doesn’t cross the midline of the body. The rash also may appear on one side of your face or scalp. The painful rash may be in the area of your ear or eye. When shingles occurs on the head or scalp, symptoms can include headaches and weakness of one side of the face, which causes that side of the face to look droopy. The symptoms usually go away eventually, but it may take many months.
In some cases the pain can last for weeks, months, or years, long after the rash heals. This is called postherpetic neuralgia.
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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When Should I See My Doctor
See your doctor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any symptoms of shingles. Starting treatment with antiviral medicines within 3 days of the rash appearing should reduce the severity of symptoms and the risk of further complications, including post-herpetic neuralgia.
See your doctor straight away if you have symptoms of shingles and are experiencing the following:
- symptoms that affect your eye area
- a temperature of 38°C or higher
You should also see your doctor if you are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system due to medicine that suppresses the immune system, or a condition that weakens your immune system.
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How Do Dermatologists Treat Shingles
An antiviral medication can:
-
Reduce the amount of time that you have a shingles rash
-
Lower your risk of developing long-lasting nerve pain and other health problems
One of three antiviral medications is usually prescribedacyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir.
To treat your symptoms, dermatologists typically recommend the following:
Pain: Medication that you can buy without a prescription can help, such as:
If you have severe pain, your dermatologist may prescribe a medication that reduces inflammation, such as a corticosteroid.
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