Which doctor treats shingles? | Shingles

Which doctor treats shingles?

If the first symptoms of shingles appear in a patient, he is well advised to consult his family doctor first. If the typical symptoms are present, the doctor can usually diagnose shingles relatively quickly and begin appropriate therapy with antiviral agents and usually a zinc ointment. In most cases, the symptoms of shingles can be treated well. After one week, the patient should consult his or her family doctor again to monitor the course of the disease. However, if the course of the disease is very severe or if the disease is located in the area of the eye or ear, which can be accompanied by corresponding functional deficits, it is advisable to go to hospital for further clarification.

Therapy

The treatment of shingles is always aimed at alleviating the existing symptoms and achieving the quickest possible healing. A complete elimination of the virus pathogens is not possible. In addition, drug therapy should be started as soon as possible after the first suspicion in order to avoid chronic complications.

Initially, antiviral therapy is the focus of drug therapy, which is intended to inhibit the spread of the herpes zoster virus and bring about a faster healing process. In addition, this therapy is usually combined with the administration of painkillers and ointments to the affected areas. Antiviral treatment is required for shingles caused by herpes zoster.

In most cases Aciclovir® is used. It can be administered orally, i.e. in tablet form, or i.v. (intravenously) by infusion.

Zostex® (with the active ingredient Brivudin) can also be used as an oral therapy. Aciclovir and Brivudine belong to the group of virustatics. These are active ingredients that specifically counteract the growth and multiplication of viruses.

They inhibit the structure of the viral DNA. Other antiviral drugs are for example Valaciclovir and Famciclovir. As painkillers are mainly Ibuprofen or ASS (acetylsalicylic acid) in question.

For the local treatment of the blisters, zinc ointments are also prescribed in most cases, which cause the blisters to dry out and relieve the existing itching. Shingles can also be improved by homeopathic substances (see: shingles and homeopathy). The application of zinc ointment is a standard therapy for shingles.On the one hand, the zinc oxide it contains has an antiseptic effect, which prevents further spread of shingles and bacterial colonization.

In addition, certain ingredients in the zinc ointment have a strong water-draining effect, which causes the blisters to dry out. On the one hand, this improves the course of the disease and, on the other hand, enormously relieves the strong itching. The cream is best applied 3 times a day to the affected skin area.

In addition, it takes about half an hour to dry up well and remove the fluid from the blisters. A thorough and regular application can have a strong positive influence on the course of the disease. In most cases, shingles is accompanied by severe nerve pain, a so-called neuralgia, which in rare cases can persist even after the disease has subsided.

When treated with antivirals (drugs that inhibit virus growth), the pain usually subsides very quickly. If this is not the case, a specific pain therapy can be carried out. According to current studies, Lyrica®, a drug that acts directly on the painful nerves, is particularly suitable for the typical zoster pain.

If the pain cannot be sufficiently eliminated by these drugs, the already mentioned Lyrica® can be used or stronger drugs such as Tilidine, which already belong to the group of low-potent opioids, must be used. In general, however, most pain resulting from shingles can be treated well with the lighter, non-opioid painkillers.

  • Ibuprofen,
  • Paracetamol
  • And acetylsalicylic acid (ASS, Aspirin®)

For those affected, if there is no severe nerve pain, the treatment of severe itching is usually the focus of attention.

Probably the best known and most frequently used treatment is zinc ointment. This has an antiseptic effect and helps to dry out the blisters, which leads to a significant reduction in itching. The ointment should be applied directly to the blisters.

Scratching the blisters is strongly discouraged, as it increases the risk of a second infection in other parts of the body. If the itching cannot be sufficiently treated, a local therapy with lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, can be considered after medical consultation. In the treatment of shingles, homeopathic agents can be used to alleviate the symptoms.

However, they should be used in parallel with conventional medical therapy and not replace it. It is not advisable to discontinue prescribed medication on your own. Well-known homeopathic medications in the therapy of shingles are These active ingredients are especially helpful in the therapy of pain that can occur when touched, moved and often at night.

In addition to drug therapy, there is also the possibility of treating shingles in parallel with home remedies. The use of cabbage is well known. The inner, still fresh leaves are used.

It is best to run a rolling pin over the leaves to allow the liquid to escape. These leaves can now be placed on the inflamed and blistered skin area with an envelope. In addition to the cooling and moisturizing effect, it is also believed that the antioxidants contained in the liquid have a decongesting effect on the blisters and promote the regeneration of the skin.

Some people are also convinced of the use of balm. You boil a tea with the leaves, let it cool down and then dab the affected skin area. It is assumed that lemon balm has an antiviral effect, which helps the body to fight the virus. To dry out the skin, a paste of water and baking powder is often recommended, which leads to a reduction of blisters and thus relieves itching. Home remedies against the existing nerve pain, neuralgia, are very controversial and are rarely recommended by doctors.