AfterShingles.com – Shingles Symptoms, Treatment and Pain Management


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Experts Corner

Q & A Archive

Can shingles just go away on its own?

Yes, in otherwise healthy individuals undergoing treatment, shingles may disappear without major consequences in two to four weeks. However, the risk of complications from shingles increases with age, weakened immunity and delayed treatment1. You should visit your healthcare professional if you think you may have shingles because prompt medical treatment can lessen the length of time you have the rash and lower your risk for post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), or after-shingles pain. Specifically, antiviral medication may be an effective treatment for shingles if it is taken within 72 hours after the appearance of the shingles rash2. In some patients with uncomplicated cases of shingles your healthcare professional may recommend keeping the rash clean, dry and covered and avoiding topical antibiotics3.

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The PHN Pain Checklist and PHN Pain Management Calendar are tools you can use to help you talk about your pain with your healthcare professional.

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Do you have the facts to identify if you or your loved one suffers from shingles or postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)?

1
Shingles & PHN: Your Questions Answered. VZV Research Foundation, Inc. 2000: 1-12. Available at: http://vzvfoundation.org/publicdownloads/Shingles_PHN_Q&A_2000.pdf. Accessed April 6, 2009.
2
Cure PHN: Your Questions Answered. VZV Research Foundation, Inc. 2004: 1-6. Available at: http://www.vzvfoundation.org/publicdownloads/PHN_Brochure_Feb2004.pdf. Accessed April 6, 2009.
3
Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR and Seward JF. Prevention of Herpes Zoster: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2008; 57(05): 1-30. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5705a1.htm. Accessed April 6, 2009.