Treatments for Shingles
Main Page | Risk Factors | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Screening | Reducing Your Risk | Talking to Your Doctor | Living With Shingles | Resource Guide
There are no treatments to cure shingles. Rather, the goals of treatment include:
- Shortening the length of the illness
- Preventing shingles by using the shingles vaccine
- Preventing complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia
- Relieving/reducing pain and discomfort
- Preventing the rash from becoming infected
Treatment involves the following:
Lifestyle changes
Medications
Alternative and complementary therapies
Other treatments
At this time, there are no surgical procedures for the treatment of shingles.
References:
The American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: http://www.aad.org/default.htm . Accessed February 21, 2006.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/ . Accessed February 21, 2006.
Stankus SJ, Dlugopolski M, Packer D. Management of herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia. Am Fam Physician . 2000;61(8). Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000415/2437.html.
Tyring SK. Management of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. J Am Acad Dermatol . 2007 Dec;57(6 Suppl):S136-42. Review.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Ross Zeltser, MD, FAAD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.