Shingles

The first signs of shingles can be:
– A tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
– A headache or feeling generally unwell

You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox.
But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before.
When people get chickenpox, the virus stays in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone’s immune system is weakened.
This can be because of stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy.

Treatment for shingles depends on how severe your symptoms are and whether you’re at risk of complications.

If you have a mild rash you may not need any treatment.

You may be offered medicine (antiviral tablets) to help speed up your recovery from shingles if:

– You have a weakened immune system
– Your pain or your rash is moderate or severe
– The rash is affecting other areas of your body apart from your chest, tummy and back

Take paracetamol to ease pain

Keep the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection

Wear loose-fitting clothing

Use a cool compress (a bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel, or a wet cloth) a few times a day

Paracetamol to ease the pain

Antiviral tablets under the GPs discretion

You can also get the Shingle Vaccine. Please call us and book yourself in!