How Is Shingles Spread?

How Is Shingles Spread?

How Is Shingles Spread?

Shingles is the common name for herpes zoster and the main people who are at risk of getting this illness are those who had chicken pox. This is because the same virus that causes shingles is the one that causes chicken pox in children. People can get treated for shingles with home remedies, vaccines and other medications. It’s possible to transmit shingles by passing it on to others who don’t have shingles by way of sharing utensils, clothing or other items that have your bodily fluids on them such as blood, sweat or saliva.
Treating Blisters from Shingles
If you don’t treat your shingles-related blisters right away, it causes the shingles to spread to other parts of the body. The blisters last between two and four weeks and if you see the blisters, you should talk with the doctor to get treatment. One medication your doctor may prescribe is a topical ointment called corticosteroids to apply to the blisters. Antihistamines are also effective in reducing the pain in the blisters. When you take a bath, put oats in the bath water since it soothes the itching. Make sure it’s a cold rather than a hot bath.
Stress and Shingles
Some medical experts say that shingles may also be brought on by stress and this is because stress causes a poor immune system. When your immune system weakens because of stress, it could cause skin disorders such as shingles. Some good stress relief activities include praying, reading books, sleeping for eight hours per night and talking to friends during the week.
Ointments for Shingles
Zovirax is a popular ointment that is used for shingles and it contains the ingredient acyclovir. Zovirax helps you reduce the appearance of rashes and blisters from shingles and you want to wear gloves when applying the ointment to prevent giving the illness to those around you. Licrogel has licorice root and this makes the ointment a natural alternative to other medications.
How to Keep From Spreading Shingles
Stay away from those who are the most at risk of getting shingles such as babies and school-age children, those with weak immune systems and pregnant women. If you have a rash, you want to cover it with a cloth after applying ointment to it. Always wash your hands and the sores thoroughly.
Conclusion
When you get shingles, you want to do everything you can to keep from spreading the illness to others. Another thing you want to do is look for ways to get the best treatment for shingles and your doctor will have the information you need to get relief and eliminate the symptoms. Generally shingles disappears after a few weeks and you’ll return to normal. After the shingles ends you want to still be careful when interacting with others because there may be still some of the virus in your system. Finally, you want to have a positive attitude when getting shingles.