Shingles follows a pattern. A few days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will come out on your body, face, or neck. In a few days, the rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters. The blisters dry up and crust over within several days. The rash usually happens on one side of the body. Most cases of shingles last from 3 to 5 weeks.
When To See A Doctor About Shingles
George, age 67, had a red rash on his face and felt sick. His wife urged him to see a doctor, but he told her, "It's just a rash. I'll be all right in a few days." His wife insisted that he go to the doctor. The doctor told George that he had shingles and ordered some medicine for him.
It's important to get your parent to the doctor no later than 3 days after the rash starts. The doctor needs to see the rash to confirm what your parent has and make a treatment plan. Although there is no cure for shingles, early treatment with drugs that fight the virus can help. Shingles can often be treated at home. Patients with shingles rarely need to stay in a hospital.
How Shingles Is Treated
For people with severe symptoms, there are many medications your doctor can prescribe to treat shingles. These include medicines that:
- Fight the virus—antiviral drugs
- Lessen pain and shorten the time you're sick—steroids
- Help with pain relief—antidepressants and anticonvulsants
- Reduce pain—analgesics
When started within 72 hours of getting the rash, these medicines help shorten the length of the infection and lower the risk of other problems.
Prevent Shingles – A Vaccine
A new way to keep your parent from getting shingles has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. You should ask your doctor if the new shingles vaccine is right for your parent. It is available for ages 60 and older.