Shingles Treatment - How do you treat Shingles?

Shingles treatment objective: The main objective of doctors treating shingles patients is to reduce the pain and discomfort of the patient, and to speed up the process of healing the blisters and to make sure that the disease does not spread to healthy people. Is shingles treatment effective? Although there are really no cures for a viral disease, if treatment is started early (within 2 or 3 days of developing the rash) it can reduce severity of shingles and can perhaps reduce the risk of complication such as Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN). If you have developed shingles on your face, near your eyes or ears you must consult a physician immediately, because infection of the eye could lead to blindness. What are the main shingles treatment options: The main treatment of shingles includes antiviral medication such as acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) or valacyclovir (Valtrex). Acyclovir, usually taken as tablets, is effective only when started early in the illness. The main benefits of the medicine are in controlling the rash and minimizing the damage to the nerves thereby preventing the onset of Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN). Acyclovir also helps patients with weak immune systems that are at a high risk for contracting Shingles. 
Other medicines such as prednosine are prescribed to reduce the inflammation. To reduce the pain the doctors may prescribe pain relievers and low doses of sedatives or antidepressants. Paracetamol is also effective in controlling the shingles pain. Sometimes when the shingles pain is very severe, the doctor may treat it with a nerve blocker. Applying calamine lotion on the rash helps soothe the skin and control itching. Although most people get shingles and chicken pox only once in their lives, in some cases the disease can recur. However such cases are extremely rare. 

For more information about shingles treatment, symptoms and other shingles information please check www.shingleshelpline.com . At Shingleshelpline.com you will find information available to you in an easy to understand format. You can also ask any shingles treatment question at the free “ask a shingles question” service at www.shingleshelpline.com