Are shingles contageous and what can I do to get rid of them?

Question

My husband has a rash that looks similar to shingles. He says that it itches all the time. They turn really red in the bath and swell up. They are located on his upper back and on his arms.

Answer 1

why doesn't your husband just see a doctor?

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I had Shingles for the first time a few weeks ago. I am normally in good health and haven't had any other health challenges before, so it came as a surprise.

Shingles is probably the most painful thing I have ever encountered. I went to the doctor, and he gave me some prescription drugs to take that was suposed to help, but didn't.

My wife found the Fast Shingles Cure ebook online and bought it for me, I am very lucky to have such a wonderful woman in my life. We followed the book, did what it said, and it delivered what it promised. Finally my Shingles rash is over... I feel truly blessed and thankful.

The #1 Shingles Treatment Method Available

Answer 4

Extremely contageous!! Get to the doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis. The doctor will probably give you a prescription for Zovirax. In comes in both pill & cream...get both. Take the pills as prescribed, use the cream often.

I had a case of the shingles 3 days before I was to leave for Hawaii...with shingles heat is a big no-no. I got the meds going and it was all cleared up by the time I boarded the plane.

Most of all...no matter how itchy...DO NOT scratch it. It will spread.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

It is probably best if your husband sees a doctor. This could be many things such as foliculitus, cellulitus or even just hives.
Shingles are contagious especially to those with weakened immune systems and especially when the sores break open from scratching. There are treatments but most are prescription. Since shingles are caused by the herpes virus and often follow nerve tracts they can be quite painful as well. Antivirals work in shortening the symptoms as do steroids. calamine can help with tching as can Burows solution (Domoboro aluminum acetate)

Answer 7

Shingles is a skin rash characterised by pain and blistering. Shingles is also known as ‘herpes zoster’. Shingles can affect any part of the body, including the face. Shingles occurs because of a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which remains in the nerve cells of the body after an attack of chickenpox. The rash is made up of tiny blister-like spots that hold fluid.

Shingles can be spread when a person comes into contact with fluid contained in the blisters (however the person would ‘catch’ chickenpox, not shingles). Anti-viral medications work best if administered within three days, and preferably 24 hours, of the onset of a rash.

Shingles is a ‘reactivated’ chickenpox virus
Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles. However, only people who have never had chickenpox can catch the virus from another person with shingles. A person who has never had chickenpox, but comes into contact with the shingles virus, will develop chickenpox (not shingles).

The virus responsible for shingles can be spread by direct contact with the lesions, or by touching any dressings, sheets or clothes soiled with discharge from the spots. Anti-viral medications work best if administered within 24 hours of the onset of a shingles rash.

The virus travels down nerves
The rash caused by shingles usually takes the shape of a ‘belt’ or band around the body. The rash forms its characteristic pattern because the virus works down the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord and encircle the body. The chest and stomach are most commonly affected.

Tender, painful skin signals the beginning of an attack. The skin then turns red and breaks out in blisters. The rash can last for a few days or weeks. During that time, a scaly crust might appear. Once the attack is over the skin usually returns to normal, but there can be some scarring in severe cases.

The link to chickenpox
Shingles is caused by the Varicella zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. People who contract chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles later in life, since the virus lies dormant in the body. Fortunately, it is rare to have more than one attack of shingles.

Shingles, chickenpox and pregnancy
An attack of shingles during pregnancy will not harm the unborn baby. The mother is already carrying the Varicella zoster virus before developing shingles, and there is no increase in the risk of passing it on to the foetus if shingles develops. However an attack of chickenpox during pregnancy can be serious and requires urgent medical attention.

Post-herpetic neuralgia
Sometimes the pain doesn’t go away once the shingles rash has cleared. This complication is called post-herpetic neuralgia and is more common when the shingles rash appeared on the face rather than the body. This type of shingles rash tends to affect the skin around the eye, and occasionally the eye itself.

Type of help available
Anti-viral medications can help ease the pain and shorten an attack of shingles. The medication works best if administered within three days, and ideally within 24 hours, of the onset of a rash. Analgesic medication may also ease post-herpetic neuralgia, but consult your doctor first.

Shingles and chickenpox vaccination
While there is a vaccination available to protect people from chickenpox, there is no vaccine currrently licenced in Australia to protect people against shingles. Work is progressing to develop a vaccine to prevent shingles and it is expected that one will be available in Australia within the next few years.

Answer 8

YES THEY ARE!! The shingles virus is in the same family as chicken pox, measles, rubella, cold sores and herpes. However, shingles are usually quite painful, not just itchy. Did your husband say if they hurt or not? Whatever the case, get him and yourself to a doctor NOW!!! If he should accidently expose an infant or toddler to his condition, it can be VERY dangerous for them!

Answer 9

shingles is only contagious for people that have not had chickenpox before, it is the same virus. The virus stays in the body until times of stress, and then attacks the nerve. Only people that have had chickenpox can get shingles.

Answer 10

sounds like shingles. yes contagious. some antivirals are around from a doctor. don't take antibiotics that you have extra lying around, that's not helping at all. good luck with that.

Answer 11

Welll, you certainly have gotten some interesting advice here...

http://www.ahmf.com.au/shingles/essential_facts.htm

Have a look