Shingles medicine which is effective in relieving pain in the skin

Herpes zoster or shingles is a disease caused by a virus that causes chickenpox which re-infects the body. Symptoms of shingles can last for a long time and even cause pain and nervous disorders. Therefore, it requires medical treatment with several different types of shingles medicine so that people with shingles recover quickly.

Antiviral drugs to treat shingles

Medically, shingles treatment generally includes the consumption of drugs to suppress viral infections, pain relievers, and medication to prevent complications.

Antivirus is a type of first-line drug that doctors prescribe to shorten the period of infection with the Varicella-zoster virus. This virus belongs to the herpes virus group. That way, other symptoms of shingles such as itching and a red rash can subside more quickly.

According to reviews in the journal American Family Physician, several types of antivirals used in the treatment of shingles, namely acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir.

1. Acyclovir

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that can be given in pill form or by injection. This medicine for shingles cannot kill the varicella-zoster virus completely from the body, but it can stop the rate of infection.

The type of acyclovir drug that is usually used to treat shingles is Zovirax. Doctors usually recommend that you take a dose of this medicine 2-5 times a day. The dosage can be different depending on the severity of the shingles symptoms.

The use of acyclovir in the treatment of shingles is only effective when given within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash on the skin. However, this antiviral drug can still shorten the progression of the new red rash until the rash dries up and is no longer contagious.

In addition to inhibiting viral infections and stopping inflammation, the drug acyclovir also reduces pain symptoms due to shingles.

2. Valacyclovir

In contrast to acyvlovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex) is given as a dose 3 times a day for 7 days. This antiviral drug may do a better job of dealing with the pain from shingles.

This shingles drug is available in pill form and injection drugs, but valacyclovir in pill form is more common. As with acyclovir, this drug should ideally be given as soon as 3 days after the first rash appears.

3. Famciclovir

Another type of antiviral drug for shingles that can be prescribed by a doctor is famciclovir. To be effective at reducing infection, this drug needs to be given in doses 3 times a day.

These three types of antivirals are safe for consumption if given according to the correct dosage. These three shingles drugs have similar side effects, which can cause headaches, vomiting, seizures, and abdominal pain.

Types of drugs to cure the symptoms of shingles pain

Post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complicating disease that can arise in people who have had shingles. This condition occurs when the patient's nerves become damaged due to reactivation of the virus.

These damaged nerves are unable to send signals from the skin to the brain, and cause disruption in impulse delivery resulting in severe chronic pain. Pain can last months or even years.

Most doctors will be able to diagnosepost herpetic neuralgia (PHN) based on the duration of pain since the onset of shingles. Treatment for post herpetic neuralgia aims to control and reduce pain until the condition disappears completely.

To overcome or prevent PHN, you cannot rely on one type of shingles medicine alone. Treatment for shingles pain requires a combination of the use of the following drugs:

1. Analgesic drugs

The pain that arises from shingles can be mild, moderate, to severe. Patients with mild to moderate pain symptoms can still be managed with non-prescription analgesics. Analgesic drugs in pharmacies that are often used to treat pain due to shingles include:

• Calamine lotion: to accelerate the healing of the rash and reduce the burning sensation of the rash.
• Capsaicin cream: a type of analgesic derived from chili extract.
• Lidocaine: This drug is usually used when applied directly to the skin, is a drug that is useful for reducing pain in the skin. This patch is only effective in providing pain relief within 12 hours.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Patients with severe symptoms usually need a combination of analgesic drugs with drugs with stronger pain relievers, such as codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone..

However, how to treat shingles like this cannot be done carelessly. Usage rules and dosage should come from a doctor's recommendation.

2. Tricyclic antidepressant drugs

Antidepressants are usually prescribed to treat depression, but they can also be used to treat PHN pain caused by complications of shingles.

The way this drug works is by affecting the work of neurotransmitters or hormones that deliver stimuli to the brain such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

The dose of the antidepressant medication that is given by the doctor for shingles is usually less than for the treatment of depression. The doctor will then increase the dose of the drug every 2-4 weeks to have a more potent effect on pain relief.

Keep in mind, this drug has side effects that can cause drowsiness and weakness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. This type of shingles medicine doesn't work as fast as other pain relievers. Commonly used tricyclic anti-depressants include:

• Amitriptyline
• Desipramine
• Imipramine
• Nortriptyline

3. Anti-convulsant drugs

This type of medicine is commonly used for patients with seizures, but many studies have shown that lower doses can be used to treat pain from post herpetic neuralgia.

The way this drug works is to repair electrical disturbances in the part of the damaged nerves. The side effects of using this drug can cause drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and swelling of the legs.

Anti-convulsants that are often used to treat shingles are:

• Carbamazepine
• Pregabalin
• Gabapentin
• Phenytoin

Natural remedies and home remedies for shingles

Herpes zoster is a skin disease that not only causes itching of the skin, but is also accompanied by pain, tingling, or numbness. Unlike the symptoms of chickenpox, shingles can last longer by around 3-5 weeks.

Therefore, it is also possible to try natural remedies and home remedies to help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery.

In reducing the itching of the shingles of shingles, you can use traditional chickenpox remedies such as:

• Cold water compress
• Oatmeal baths
• Ointment from baking soda
• Chamomile tea
• Honey

Even though the resilience has dried or even disappeared, symptoms of pain in the skin usually persist. In order not to be bothered by the pain or tingling sensation caused by shingles, the National Institute of Aging recommends trying some of these things:

• Do things or hobbies that you enjoy, such as reading or watching TV, but make sure you don't get too tired.
• Avoid stress, as this can make the pain worse. If you feel depressed and upset, talk to the people closest to you.
• Always protect the exposed skin area by protection from soft clothing or materials.
• Avoid scratching the elastic even though it feels itchy.
• Always wash your hands before touching your skin.

This natural shingles treatment method can help relieve discomfort due to itching and pain. However, if the pain you are experiencing is getting stronger and unbearable, you should further consult your doctor.