A red rash along with fluid-filled blisters could indicate you have shingles. At his private practice in Grapevine, Texas, board-certified dermatologist James R. Bond, Jr., MD, PA, offers treatments that reduce pain and other unpleasant symptoms associated with shingles to make you feel more comfortable. Call his office for relief or use the online scheduler today.
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a rash and blisters. It often wraps around the right or left side of your torso. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that causes chickenpox also causes shingles. After having chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body and can re-emerge later in life as shingles.
Shingles might last two to six weeks. It’s possible to get it more than once, but many people only experience it one time. Early treatment can relieve bothersome symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
The common symptoms of shingles include:
The pain resulting from shingles could be intense and you may or may not develop a rash. If you do have a shingles rash, it usually develops around your torso but sometimes appears near one of your eyes or the side of your face or neck.
Untreated shingles could cause long-lasting discomfort, eye infections, vision problems, balance issues, neurological issues, bacterial skin infections, or other troublesome complications.
Examples of risk factors for developing shingles include:
The best way to reduce your chance of getting shingles is to receive an FDA-approved shingles vaccine given in two doses. Possible side effects of the vaccine are headaches or tenderness and redness at the injection site.
The shingles vaccine reduces your risk of getting shingles, developing complications of the disease, or experiencing severe symptoms.
To diagnose shingles and develop an effective treatment plan, Dr. Bond reviews your medical history, discusses your symptoms, and completes a physical exam to look for signs of shingles. He may take a tissue scraping or blister culture for examination in a lab.
While there’s no cure for shingles, Dr. Bond may suggest the following treatments:
Things you can do at home to ease pain caused by shingles include taking a cool bath, using a cold wet compress, and keeping stress levels low.
Dr. Bond might prescribe medications to speed up healing, reduce pain, and lessen your chance of shingles-related complications.
If you suspect you have shingles, call James R. Bond, Jr., MD, PA, or schedule an appointment online today.