Herpes zoster is one of many herpes infections. This skin condition is more commonly known as shingles, a disease with painful blisters and rash. Most people who get herpes zoster as adults also had chicken pox as a child. The same varicella zoster virus causes both chicken pox and herpes zoster. According to the Mayo Clinic, herpes zoster is a "band of blisters that wraps from the middle of your back around one side of your chest to your breastbone." There is no cure for herpes zoster, and the blisters heal in time, but there are drugs and over-the-counter creams that can ease the unpleasant systems and, in some cases, accelerate the healing time.
Instructions
1. Take antiviral drugs. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking antiviral drugs within the first three days of the rash's appearing. High doses of Valtrex or Zovirax, or similar drugs, are usually prescribed. Only a doctor or nurse practitioner can give you a prescription for these drugs, so see a doctor when the painful rash begins.
2. Consider taking anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases doctors recommend taking anti-inflammatory drugs like cortisone or steroids. These drugs help to reduce the pain of the inflamed blisters. Some doctors prescribe the cortisone in pill form, and others prefer creams or ointments. Another reason many doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs for herpes zoster is to prevent a person from getting complications of the disease. Postherpetic neuralgia is a painful skin condition that can occur after the herpes zoster has completely healed. With postherpetic neuralgia, the skin is very painful to touch for several months or longer
3. Take ibuprofen. For pain that is mild, over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Motrin can help.
4. Take prescription pain relievers. Some people have excruciating pain with herpes zoster. For these people, only prescription drugs can ease the pain. Many doctors prescribe opioids, writes the Mayo Clinic. In some cases, a doctor prescribes tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsant drugs to reduce severe pain.
5. Use skin creams and ointments. To soothe the rash and blisters, try using calamine lotion, which is available in drugstores. To help with the itchiness, try hydrocortisone creams. Lidocaine is also available as a cream or as a skin patch. These over-the-counter drugs can reduce the pain of the blisters.
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