Also called shingles, it is a viral infection which is caused by the same virus that results in chicken pox. Any person who has earlier suffered from chicken pox has a chance of developing herpes zoster. The virus remains inactive in certain nerve cells of the body and when it becomes active again it causes zoster. Around 20% of the people who have suffered from chicken pox tend to develop Herpes Zoster. People having weakened immunity are prone to develop zoster. It more commonly occurs on the trunk and buttocks but can also appear on the arms, face or legs if nerves are involved in these areas. Proper care is needed in case of blisters involving the eye as it can result in permanent damage.

Cause

It is caused by the reactivation during the adult years of the varicalla zoster virus. The virus reactivates when the immunity of the body to virus breaks down. It may happen due to the normal aging process or the immune system may get weakened due to stress resulting from illness, fatigue, emotional stress, poor nutrition or due to some kind of medication or radiation therapy. It is when the natural resistance of the body decreases that one a chance of suffering from Herpes Zoster.

Symptoms

It results in itching, burning, tingling or sensitivity in one area of the skin and is limited to one side of the body. This may continue for one to three days before a red rash appears on the site. It might also be accompanied with a fever or headache. Soon the rashes turn into a group of blisters. The blisters last for two to three weeks. The blisters are clear at the start but look bloody or yellow before they crust over and disappear.

It can be diagnosed on the basis of the way the blisters look and the history of pain before the rash on one side of the body. Skin cells are scraped from a blister on a glass slide for examination under a microscope.

Treatment

The treatment of Herpes zoster involves anti-viral and anti-inflammatory medications. Eye drops may be prescribed for treating ocular problems. In a few cases, secondary conditions which may result from Herpes Zoster might require surgery. People infected from Herpes Zoster must avoid getting in contact with people who are prone to contracting the disease such as children, elderly, pregnant woman or anybody having a weak immune system.

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