Dangerous complications of shingles, doctors warn about what everyone needs to know

Shingles is relatively benign, but if not detected and treated promptly, it will lead to many serious complications affecting the patient's quality of life.

Shingles is not dangerous for the patient, however, if not treated promptly, it will lead to many complications - Illustration photo

Mr. NVP, 68 years old, residing in Phong Thinh commune (Cam Khe, Phu Tho ) was hospitalized with pain in the intercostal region.

More than a month ago, Mr. P. suffered from shingles in the right flank. After buying medicine to treat himself at home, the blisters caused by shingles on Mr. P.'s body peeled off and dried, and no longer oozed pus.

However, when he saw that the wound was still very painful, the pain spread to the right abdomen, the burning pain, stinging like ant bites, the pain increased when bending over and moving, and he had difficulty sleeping and eating, Mr. P. decided to go to the hospital for examination.

At Cam Khe District Medical Center (Phu Tho), doctors said that Mr. P. had post-herpetic neuralgia complications, and prescribed traditional medicine therapies to restore the patient's function.

After a week of treatment, the patient's burning and stinging pain in the flank area was relieved, no longer as severe as before, only a dull pain remained.

What are the symptoms?

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen - Department of Traditional Medicine and Rehabilitation (Cam Khe District Medical Center), shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

In people infected with the varicella-zoster virus, the virus remains inactive in nerve cells and nerve ganglia. When the immune system is weakened or the body is weakened, the virus will reactivate, causing shingles.

Shingles causes the first symptoms on the skin: a red rash appears, then develops into blisters concentrated in clusters like bunches of grapes, inside the blisters contain clear fluid. When infected, the blisters turn cloudy and turn into pus.

Eventually, they break down to form crusts; the dry crusts fall off, leaving white, mottled scars on the skin.

The patient feels burning pain, increased sensation, and stabbing pain that persists even after the skin lesions have healed.

Systemic symptoms: the patient may have tinnitus, headache, dizziness or fever from 38 - 39 degrees Celsius.

Dangerous complications

If not treated promptly, shingles can leave complications such as post-herpetic neuralgia. This is the most common and dangerous complication. From the early stages, patients need to be treated properly and actively at specialized medical facilities to avoid serious complications later.

In addition, the disease can cause skin infections due to bacteria entering the damaged skin area causing infection. Shingles around the eye area if not treated promptly can cause eye damage. Severe pain in one ear or hearing loss, dizziness, loss of taste.

To prevent the disease, Dr. Huyen advised not to rub or let dirty water come into contact with the skin with blisters, and avoid breaking the blisters because this can easily lead to infection.

Wash the affected area with diluted salt water or a special cleaning solution prescribed by your doctor. Wash your hands regularly and properly, especially after caring for the affected area. Also, wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Limit or avoid contact with people who have not been vaccinated against chickenpox, especially children and pregnant women.

According to doctors, the best way to prevent the disease is to get vaccinated against chickenpox. Shingles is a disease that can be transmitted from one person to another. Antibiotics do not kill the shingles virus, so they should only be used when there is a secondary infection as prescribed by a doctor.

What should I eat to get well soon from shingles?

Health experts say patients should pay attention to adding foods high in zinc, lysine, vitamins C, B6, and B12 to their daily diet to support the treatment process and help wounds heal faster.

Meat, fish, eggs, milk... are very good for people with shingles, because they contain a lot of lysine, the lysine component in these foods helps inhibit the growth of the VZV virus. In addition, patients increase their resistance to quickly recover from the disease.

Foods rich in zinc, vitamins A, B12, C and E help increase immunity, fight bacteria and viruses that cause disease, and regenerate skin thanks to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

To achieve the best results in treating shingles, when self-care at home, pay attention to wearing loose, comfortable clothing and keeping the skin dry and clean.

A reasonable diet and rest regimen, keeping your mind relaxed and optimistic. Practicing moderate exercises such as walking, yoga, etc., also helps improve blood circulation, stimulating the healing process of skin damage.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bien-chung-nguy-hiem-cua-zona-than-kinh-bac-si-canh-bao-dieu-ai-cung-can-biet-20250403211605926.htm