Ayurvedic Solution for Herpes Zoster – A Viral Infection

Overview

Herpes Zoster is a common viral infection of the nerves in which painful rashes forms into blisters on the strip of the skin and can occur anywhere in the body.

A tingling or local pain occurs two or four days before the rash occurs. Symptoms occurs fever, fatigue, headache, burning sensation, itching, pins and needles and pricking pain, numbness, over sensitivity. Pain can be mild to extreme, but sensation often described as stringing, tingling, aching or throbbing. The rash usually heals within 2-4weeks,but in some people develops ongoing nerve pain which can lasts up to months or years and this condition is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).And with poor immune system the rash may occur widely. It is also called Shingles. It is due to reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV).Once chicken pox has resolved, the virus may remain inactive in nerve cells. When it reactivates it travels from nerves to the ending of the skin with small blisters. Risk factors for reactivation includes old age, poor immune system, had chicken pox before eighteen months of age. Diagnosis is usually based on signs and symptoms.

The rash commonly occurs on the hands, armpits, shoulders, eyes, wrist or anywhere on the body. Initially rash occurs then it becomes vesicular forming small blisters filled with serous exudate with fever and fatigue. The painful vesicles eventually become cloudy or darkened as it is filled with blood, and it becomes crust within 7/10 days. Usually the crusts fall off and the skin heals, but sometimes in severe blisters skin remains with scarring and discoloration.

Contact Doctor If You Suspects Herpes Zoster in Following Situations:-

• You are sixty plus years old because it raises risk of complications.
• Rash occurs near eye if left untreated the infection can lead to permanent eye damage.
• If a person with weakened immune system due to chronic illness or cancer or medications.
• The rash is widespread and painful.

Complications from Herpes Zoster:-

Vision loss due to rash in or around eye can cause painful infection may result in vision loss, Neurological problems, depending on which nerves are affected, Herpes Zoster can cause inflammation of the bra, facial paralysis, hearing or balance problems, etc.

Postherpetic neuralgia, In some cases Herpes Zoster pain continues long after blisters have cleared. It occurs when damaged nerve fibers send confused and exaggerated messages of pain from body to skin to the brain.

Skin problems, If Herpes Zoster not treated well, some bacterial infection may develop.