Rules for washing and bathing with shingles

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Herpes zoster is a serious disease that can occur in absolutely anyone (another name for this disease is herpes zoster or herpes zoster and refers to herpesvirus type 3). Statistics show that this virus is present in the body of 95% of people, most of them are only carriers - they do not suffer from herpes themselves.

When this disease worsens, a person must follow special rules of personal hygiene. This will help prevent the spread of infection, which has a positive effect on the speed of recovery of the body.

Until now, doctors cannot definitely say whether it is possible to swim with herpes zoster or not. Some experts believe that there is no dependence on water procedures and skin condition.

Reasons for the development of infection

The most important factor leading to the reactivation of the virus is a decrease in immune status. When immune cells can no longer track and destroy virions, they begin to multiply very quickly. Reasons for decreased immunity:

• elderly age;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• long-term treatment with antibiotics and immunosuppressants;
• trauma and surgery;
• frequent viral infections;
• hypothermia;
• excessive insolation;
• stress, emotional tension;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• serious chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, hypertension, hypo- or hyperthyroidism;
• HIV, AIDS and other acquired immunodeficiency conditions;
• oncological pathologies;
• chemotherapy and radiation therapy;
• exacerbation of chronic infections and others.

The disease is always transmitted from a sick person. Ways of spread of infection: through contact (by touching blisters and rashes, violating hygiene rules), through the placenta (from a sick mother to the fetus during pregnancy) and during passage through the birth canal (contact of the biological fluids of the mother with the skin and mucous membranes of the child).

Atypical symptoms

Signs of herpes zoster in atypical forms of the course are expressed in the following forms:

Before treating shingles, you need to make sure that it is it. Until herpes zoster gives obvious symptoms, it is impossible to determine the disease, since neuralgic symptoms may indicate other diseases. [adsen2]

Clinical manifestations

Each stage has its own symptoms of the disease. Main periods:

If any clinical manifestations of the disease are detected, it is necessary to contact your doctor for diagnostic measures and selection of treatment.

Vaccination

A live vaccine known as Zostavax has been proposed against the occurrence of the disease.

This vaccine rarely causes side effects but is contraindicated in immunocompromised patients and may not be effective in patients taking antiviral drugs active against Varicella zoster virus. From an economic point of view, it is advisable to use it for patients over 60 years of age.

A Cochrane Library systematic review of eight randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving 52,269 participants found that the Zostavax vaccine in older adults prevented one episode of herpes zoster in every 70 people vaccinated, meaning it was effective in reducing the risk of herpes zoster by almost 50%. Side effects caused by the vaccine were mainly mild to moderate symptoms at the injection site[16].

Five of the most effective ointments against shingles

Many people who are faced with this pathology are interested in how to apply shingles in humans and what remedy is most effective. Doctors answer that at the moment there are a large number of ointments to treat the disease.

They all have varying degrees of activity and severity of action. When you contact a doctor, he will conduct an examination and prescribe appropriate individual treatment.

Prescribing therapy on your own is not the best solution; this can lead to complications of the disease (for example, to the development of postherpetic neuralgia, which brings a lot of problems).

Acyclovir

A highly effective remedy for the treatment of infections caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus and some others.

Prevents virus replication and stimulates its death. Manufacturers produce two types of ointment: 3% for treating mucous membranes and 5% for the skin.

The drug is applied to the affected areas 3 to 6 times a day in a thin layer, the duration of therapy is 7-10 days. It is very important to note that treatment must be completed until the end of the course.

If you stop treating the skin when the symptoms disappear, the virions will resume their reproduction and the disease will develop with renewed vigor. In addition, complications may occur or the virus may develop resistance (insensitivity) to the drug.

Zovirax

Foreign analogue of Acyclovir. The mechanism of action is the same: inhibition (slowing down) of the development and reproduction of the virus in the body.

As a result, inflammatory manifestations decrease, rashes disappear, and the activity of local immunity increases.

The most pronounced effect is observed when the first signs of herpes occur (tingling in future areas of rashes, itching and redness).

Within 4-6 days, a small layer of the drug is applied to the skin with a positive result. It must be remembered that a person is still contagious to others, even when using antiviral ointments.

Herpferon

Combined ointment with lidocaine for herpes zoster. A very effective remedy, it contains Lidocaine, Acyclovir and Interferon.

The medicine has a suppressive effect on the reproduction of the virus, reduces pain and stimulates the phagocytic function of immune cells (neutrophils) at the site of infection.

All this leads to the prevention of the formation of new rashes, reduces the severity of pain and speeds up recovery.

Apply evenly to infected areas of the skin 3 to 6 times a day, maintaining an application interval of at least 4 hours. The average duration of therapy is from 7 to 10 days.

Ointments containing Penciclovir

They are the best ointments for shingles. These include: Vectavir, Penciclovir-Fitovit, Fenistil-Pentsivir.

Such agents are more modern, easily penetrate into affected cells, block replication processes and lead to the death of viral particles. The important thing is that these drugs do not affect healthy tissue.

Consequently, they ensure rapid recovery, reduction of pain and discomfort, reduction of swelling and redness of the skin, and a reduction in the infectious period.

The disadvantage of the drug is that there are a number of contraindications for its use. It is necessary to consult a doctor when using the product.

Hyporamine ointment

The medicine is created from the extract of sea buckthorn leaves and has antiviral activity.

An excellent ointment for herpes zoster on the body. The blisters are treated with the drug 4 to 6 times a day, the course of therapy is from 5 to 10 days.

In severe situations, the course is increased to 21 days. In addition to inhibiting the activity of the virus, it has an immunomodulatory and immunostimulating effect. Available for use by pregnant and lactating women.

The range of ointments for shingles in humans is wide. In addition to the five most effective remedies, they use: Alpizarin based on herbal components (reduces the reproduction of the virus, destroys some types of bacteria, reduces inflammation), Solcoseryl (accelerates the healing of ulcers), Mataren plus (pain reliever) and others. In addition to these drugs, traditional medicine is used.

When doctors are asked whether it is possible to smear shingles with brilliant green, people receive a negative answer. Brilliant green cannot be used as the only treatment method.

Zelenka does not stop the reproduction of virions, but only locally neutralizes microorganisms, so the disease can progress and lead to the development of complications.

The disease caused by herpes zoster is an extremely serious pathology that requires medical attention, high-quality and long-term treatment.

If neglected, the infection may lead to secondary complications (postherpetic neuralgia, damage to the facial or trigeminal nerve with the development of impaired sensitivity and motor activity, bacterial contamination of wounds, and so on), leading to loss of ability to work or development of disability. This negatively affects the quality of life of patients.

At the moment, there is a wide variety of ointments for herpes zoster, so therapy is not difficult.

However, to answer the question of how to apply shingles, you should seek advice from a specialist in the relevant field. This will help prevent the occurrence of negative consequences of pathology and side effects from drugs.

Author: pediatrician Yatsenko Anton Andreevich

How to speed up recovery

The appearance of herpetic rashes does not mean that you have to forget about hygiene. Doctors recommend reducing the frequency and duration of water procedures if new bubbles appear. If they begin to dry out and crusts form on the body, it is recommended to take a medicinal bath or bathe in decoctions of medicinal herbs.

It is useful to prepare baths with essential oils (eucalyptus, sage, fir, lavender, tea tree).

The latter has especially valuable properties, is considered a strong natural antiviral and antibacterial agent, and promotes rapid healing of wounds. To get the maximum benefit from an aromatic bath, you need to add 8-10 drops of oil to a tablespoon of soda or sea salt, then dissolve in water. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.

Herbal baths help reduce the intensity of painful sensations. If the procedure is to be done in the evening, then in the morning a mixture of chamomile, sage, celandine, oak bark, pine needles, and string is brewed. For 10 liters of water you need to take a handful of dry ingredients. Before use, the infusion is heated and poured into a bath of clean warm water.

Based on this collection, lotions are made. Then the proportion changes. Take 1 tablespoon of each component, brew 200 ml of boiling water, and leave. A sterile bandage or piece of cotton cloth is moistened with infusion and applied to the wounds.

Shingles and water treatments are not necessarily mutually exclusive concepts. With a mild form of the disease, a quick warm shower or a healing bath will help cope with unpleasant symptoms.

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Forms of herpes zoster

There are several clinical forms of herpes zoster:

1. Vesicular – lasts 3-4 days and is characterized by the appearance of local rashes.
2. Zoster virus, which does not cause a rash.
3. Visceral, which is called internal herpes zoster, affects the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, sometimes the liver and heart. It is extremely rare.
4. Ophthalmoherpes is an eye lesion caused by infection.
5. Hunt's syndrome is a herpetic lesion on the face of a diseased geniculate ganglion.
6. Atypical – characterized by a blurred or altered clinical picture:

• abortive – there are no bubbles or pain;
• bullous - manifests itself in large blisters with uneven edges;
• auricular – the rash is localized on the auricle;
• hemorrhagic - has blisters filled with bloody contents, after healing of which scars remain;
• gangrenous – characterized by necrotic tissue changes followed by the appearance of scars. Occurs in the elderly or diabetics;
• generalized - rashes are localized on the body on both sides.

Prevention of herpes zoster

Today medicine has no means of preventing relapses of herpes. Preventive measures consist of general activities that help maintain health:

• hardening;
• active lifestyle;
• proper nutrition.

Herpes is transmitted and activated in the body only if it is weakened by illness, stress, or physical activity. A strong person successfully resists infection.