Shingles

Shingles is an acute, localized infection caused by the virus, Herpes varicellae, and is characterized by painful blistering eruptions. It is accompanied by localized rash and pain. Sometimes the pain starts before the rash appears. The rash typically lasts 2 - 5 weeks. The most feared complication of shingles is persistent pain after the rash has healed (post-herpetic neuralgia). In severe cases, the rash can leave permanent scars, long-standing pain, numbness, and skin discoloration. A second attack of shingles is very unusual. Sometimes herpes simplex, which can recur frequently, is misdiagnosed as recurrent shingles. The risk for shingles and the likelihood of persistent pain both increase with advancing age. The disorder is common, with about 300,000 cases in the U.S. per year (about 2 out of every 1,000 people).

Warning symptom of unilateral pain, tingling or burning sensation limited to a specific part of the body. Reddening of the skin (erythema) followed by the appearance of blisters (vesicles) Grouped, dense, deep, small blisters (vesicles) that ooze and crust Lymph node swelling may occur Pain and burning sensation may be intense Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Vision abnormalities Taste abnormalities Drooping eyelid (ptosis)
• Loss of eye motion (ophthalmoplegia) 
• Hearing loss Joint pain Genital lesions (female) 
• Genital lesions (male) 
• Abdominal pain

Prevention is uncertain. For those, whose immune system is compromised it would be best to avoid contact with the skin lesions of persons with known herpes zoster infection (shingles or chickenpox).

Chicken pox virus (VZV) is the cause of Shingles. After chickenpox, VZV can lie dormant in the body for decades. If the infection reactivates, the result is an attack of shingles. Everyone who has had chickenpox (9 out of 10 adults) is at risk for developing shingles. The virus can be reactivated when the body's immunity to the virus breaks down. This may happen due to normal aging, or due to the body's weakened immune system caused by stress from illness, physical or emotional stress, fatigue, poor nutrition, certain medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other factors. Usually only one attack occurs, without recurrence. The virus resides in a dormant condition in the nerve tracts that emerge from the spine. When it is reactivated, it spreads along the nerve tract, first causing pain or a burning sensation. The typical rash appears in 2 to 3 days, after the virus has reached the skin. It consists of red patches of skin with small blisters (vesicles) that are similar in appearance to early chickenpox. The rash maximizes over the next 3 to 5 days. Then the blisters break forming small ulcers, which begin to dry and form crusts. The crusts fall off in 2 to 3 weeks, leaving behind pink healing skin. Lesions typically appear along a single dermatome (the body area served by a single spinal nerve) and are only on one side of the body (unilateral). The trunk is most often affected, showing a rectangular belt of rash from the spine around one side of the chest to the breastbone (sternum). Lesions may also occur on the neck or face, particularly the trigeminal nerve in the face. The trigeminal has three branches: the superior, which goes to the forehead, the middle, which goes to the mid-face, and the inferior, which goes to the lower face. Which branch is involved determines where on the face the skin lesions will be. Trigeminal nerve involvement may include lesions in the mouth or eye. Eye lesions may lead to permanent blindness. Involvement of the facial nerve may cause Ramsay Hunt syndrome with facial paralysis, hearing loss, loss of taste in half of the tongue and skin lesions around the ear and ear canal. Herpes zoster can be contagious through direct contact in an individual who has not had chickenpox and therefore has no immunity. Herpes zoster may affect any age group but is much more common in adults over 60 years old, in children who had chickenpox before the age of one year, and in individuals who are immunocompromised. Localized shingles involving only one dermatome is typical for an outbreak of shingles. Generalized or recurrent shingles may indicate an underlying disorder of the immune system such as leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, other cancers, atopic dermatitis, or HIV infection (ARC or AIDS). Those who are immunosuppressed because of organ transplant or treatment for cancer or similar disorders may also experience the disorder.

Diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin lesions, and strengthened by a prior history of chickenpox or shingles. Tests are rarely necessary, but may include: Viral culture of skin lesion. Tzanck test of skin lesion CBC may show elevated WBC (a nonspecific sign of infection) specific immunoglobulin measurement demonstrates elevation of varicella immune globulin.

Go on a short three-day cleansing diet to eliminate acid wastes and alkalize the blood. Take a carrot beet cucumber juice each day. Eat only fresh fruits and vegetables. Include cultured foods in your diet.

Use effective topical solutions to relieve pain. Petroleum jelly and flax seed are beneficial. Take salt and oatmeal baths to neutralize acids.

Take in early morning sunlight. Stress creates an acid body condition and erodes protective nerve sheathing. Adopt relaxation and tension control techniques to counter stress.