The diagnosis is usually made clinically. 2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification. Direct virus detection using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) from vesicle contents, skin biopsies, cerebrospinal fluid* , or blood – for detection of varicella zoster virus infection [sensitivity and specificity … Read more
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin [patchy erythema (areal redness of skin), followed by: bullae (blisters), papules (vesicles), papulo-vesicles (mixture of papule and vesicle (vesicle)), plaques] Predilection sites (typical sites for the appearance of … Read more
Therapeutic targets Shortening the symptomatic phase Avoidance of complications Therapy recommendations Antiviral therapy: as soon as possible: virostasis (antivirals/drugs that inhibit viral replication)Note: Antiviral therapy within 72 hours of vesicle breakdown also reduces the risk of postzoster neuralgia.First-line therapy: Patients <50 years + limited findings on trunk and extremities: Antivirals (aciclovir, brivudine, valaciclovir, and famciclovir), … Read more
Polymorphous light dermatosis is usually diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and medical history. Rarely, histologic (fine tissue) examination of a biopsy (tissue sample) must be performed.
Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of history and physical examination. Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnosis in case of complications. Computed tomography of the skull (cranial CT, cranial CT or cCT) – if meningoencephalitis … Read more
Therapeutic target Alleviation of symptoms Therapy recommendations Beta-carotene Nicotinamide and folic acid Corticosteroids; azathioprine in extreme individual cases. Antihistamines can relieve the itching See also under “Further therapy“. All agents have in common a relatively limited efficacy. In experimental studies, efficacy has been demonstrated for E. coli extract. Supplements (dietary supplements; vital substances) Appropriate dietary … Read more
As of March 2018, an adjuvanted subunit total vaccine (containing glycoprotein E of the pathogen) has been approved for the prevention of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in persons 50 years of age and older. This has a high protective effect even in older age groups and, in addition to good safety, has … Read more
Medical device diagnostics are not required.
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate herpes zoster (shingles): Prodromal stage (early phase of disease in which nonspecific symptoms occur; about 5 days): First, nonspecific general symptoms (fatigue, impaired performance, fever, and aching limbs) occur. Then local pruritus (itching) and paresthesias (sensory disturbances). Then appearance of typical zoster vesicles (herpetiform vesicles; centrally forked, usually … Read more
Limiting sun exposure contributes to the prevention of polymorphous light dermatosis. Prophylaxis is of significant importance. By becoming accustomed to light by means of, for example, phototherapy to general light protection measures (sunscreens with a high sun protection factor (UV-A and UV-B protection), the wearing of caps/hats, etc.), the affected person can prevent or reduce … Read more
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Herpes zoster is a reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (synonyms: varicella zoster virus (VZV) – also spelled varicella zoster virus and referred to as human herpes virus-3), which has survived inconspicuously for many years in the area of the spinal and/or cranial nerve ganglia. Due to a weakened immune system, … Read more
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate polymorphous light dermatosis: Initially, itching occurs, followed by patchy redness of the skin. Thereafter, the following efflorescences (skin changes; skin bloom) may occur: Bullae (blisters) Papules (vesicles) Papulo-vesicle – a mixture of papule and vesicle (vesicle) represents. Plaques (areal or plate-like substance proliferation of the skin). Predilection sites … Read more