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Herpes Zoster Relief

Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a secondary condition of infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which also causes chickenpox. Depending on the symptoms one experiences and their severity and duration, a variety of treatments are used in relieving shingles.

  1. Antivirals

    • The primary treatment for shingles is a course of antiviral drugs of the type used to treat all herpes viruses (VZV is a virus of the family herpesviridae). These include acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. Valacyclovir and famciclovir can be taken less often than acyclovir. According to the Mayo Clinic, antiviral treatment should be begun within three days after the first signs of shingles rash for greatest effectiveness.

    Corticosteroids

    • Corticosteroids like prednisone are used in conjunction with antiviral drugs in relieving the symptoms of shingles. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), corticosteroids relieve then pain of shingles and may reduce the chances of developing post-herpetic neuralgia, a condition where the pain of shingles lingers long after the rash has disappeared. However, there is a risk of weakening the immune system through the use of corticosteroids, so this treatment method may be best for those most at risk of developing post-herpetic neuralgia, persons over the age of 50.

    Pain Relief

    • The pain associated with shingles varies, and so various pain-relief techniques are used. According to the AAFP, some patients respond to common pain relievers while others require narcotic pain relief; the use of topical agents like calamine, capsaicin and lidocaine also relieves symptoms.

    Chronic Pain Relief

    • Post-herpetic neuralgia, chronic pain related to shingles that persists after the outbreak, may require intensive treatment with multiple agents. According to the AAFP, these include capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants, all of which relieve pain, while anticonvulsants may also help patients sleep better.

    Other Treatments

    • The pain of post-herpetic neuralgia can be treated with other methods. The AAFP suggests transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), although the American Cancer Society reports that it may not be useful in relieving chronic pain; other methods include biofeedback, wherein people learn to control involuntary responses, and nerve blocks, which interfere with the perception of pain.

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