How long does herpes zoster take to heal?

Written by Yu Gang

Dermatology Department

Updated on September 06, 2024

00:00

00:00

The healing time for shingles varies from person to person; generally, younger people recover faster, while older individuals take longer. Treatment typically includes oral antiviral medications like famciclovir and acyclovir, as well as nutrients for nerve health such as vitamins B1 and B12, along with oral traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. However, if it progresses to postherpetic neuralgia, the condition tends to heal more slowly. Postherpetic neuralgia can only alleviate pain but is generally difficult to cure completely.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

50sec

home-news-image

Can shingles be contagious?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus infection. It has mild contagiousness, but the contagious period is very short, typically lasting about a week from when blisters appear to when they dry up. During this period, try to avoid contact with very young children or elderly people with low immunity, otherwise, it may be transmitted to them. Once diagnosed, it must be treated formally. Common antiviral medications can cure it. This disease can also easily leave complications, so it is crucial to detect and treat it early. During treatment, it is advisable to take some neuro-nourishing medications orally, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, exercise moderately, rest more, and drink plenty of water.

home-news-image

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

32sec

home-news-image

Does shingles itch?

Shingles most often leads to the formation of long blisters or herpes, accompanied by significant pain, which is the experience of most patients. However, a minority of people may not feel significant pain but instead experience itching. This is also a manifestation of the inflammation caused by shingles. Therefore, some patients with shingles feel itchy. Both itching and pain require timely antiviral treatment, along with medication that nourishes the nerves.

home-news-image

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

1min 3sec

home-news-image

Can you have sexual intercourse with herpes zoster?

Firstly, it is advised not to have sexual intercourse during an episode of shingles to avoid cross-infection and aid recovery. Humans are the only hosts for the varicella-zoster virus, which can enter the body through respiratory and oral tracts, genital mucosa, saliva, and skin, and lies dormant in human mucosa, blood, saliva, spinal cord, posterior nerve roots, and sensory ganglia cells. People with acute shingles need to seek prompt medical diagnosis to avoid missing the optimal treatment window and delaying the condition. The treatment principles mainly include antiviral therapy, infection control, pain relief, and aiding scab formation. Typically, proper recovery from shingles is expected within seven to ten days in a standard hospital, and this helps in reducing the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia.

home-news-image

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

33sec

home-news-image

How is herpes zoster diagnosed?

The diagnosis of herpes zoster is primarily based on clinical symptoms. First, the skin lesions appear as clusters of vesicles, which are distributed in a band-like pattern along one side of peripheral nerves. Second, there is significant neuralgia accompanied by swelling of the local lymph nodes. Third, the skin in the middle is normal. If these three clinical symptoms are present, it can generally be confirmed as herpes zoster.

home-news-image

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

39sec

home-news-image

Does shingles cause fever?

After contracting shingles, it is possible to experience symptoms of fever because this illness can lead to inflammatory responses. These inflammatory responses may manifest as systemic symptoms, such as fever. If fever occurs, it is advisable to use physical cooling methods or antipyretic medications for treatment, while concurrently addressing the primary illness of shingles. This involves using antiviral drugs and medications that nourish the nerves. It is also important to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and ensure plenty of rest.