Shingles (Herpes Zoster)
Shingles, or herpes zoster, represents a reactivation of past infection with the chickenpox virus. This virus never completely clears the body but instead lives inside the nerves and can travel to the skin at times of stress or illness to cause a shingles outbreak. Shingles begins as painful red blisters or sores on one side of the body, along the nerve distribution from the spinal cord. Prompt recognition and treatment is essential as anti-viral therapy with in the first 48 hours of the onset of skin lesions can decrease the duration of the disease as well as potential complications like the development of post-herpetic neuralgia. Neuralgia is a long lasting painful nerve disease in the absence of any skin lesions due to inflammation and damage to the nerves. While skin lesions clear up in 3-4 weeks, the pain of shingles can last for months or even years afterwards.
Return to Medical Services
Shingles, or herpes zoster, represents a reactivation of past infection with the chickenpox virus. This virus never completely clears the body but instead lives inside the nerves and can travel to the skin at times of stress or illness to cause a shingles outbreak. Shingles begins as painful red blisters or sores on one side of the body, along the nerve distribution from the spinal cord. Prompt recognition and treatment is essential as anti-viral therapy with in the first 48 hours of the onset of skin lesions can decrease the duration of the disease as well as potential complications like the development of post-herpetic neuralgia. Neuralgia is a long lasting painful nerve disease in the absence of any skin lesions due to inflammation and damage to the nerves. While skin lesions clear up in 3-4 weeks, the pain of shingles can last for months or even years afterwards.
Return to Medical Services
2809 N. Sepulveda Blvd
Suite A
Manhattan Beach
CA 90266
P:(310) 802-8180
F:(310) 802-8150
Suite A
Manhattan Beach
CA 90266
P:(310) 802-8180
F:(310) 802-8150