Injuries caused by "folk remedies"
Mr. NVT (45 years old, Hanoi ) came to the dermatology clinic with a cluster of blisters on one side of his forehead that were swollen and red, spreading down to his eye socket and nose, and his right eye had suddenly become blurry.
A patient with shingles has been admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Thinking he had shingles, Mr. T followed a folk remedy: crushing mung beans and applying them to the blisters. However, the more he applied them, the worse the lesions on his face became. Only then did Mr. T go to see a doctor.
Dr. Nguyen Tien Thanh from the Central Dermatology Hospital stated that Mr. T had shingles but did not receive proper treatment, leading to infection and corneal damage, posing a risk of vision loss if not treated early.
According to Dr. Thanh, many patients with shingles on the face and chest (commonly known as herpes zoster) self-treat at home by applying leaves, mung beans, or potassium permanganate, using incorrect treatments that worsen the condition and lead to unfortunate complications.
Also visiting the Central Dermatology Hospital, Ms. NTH (60 years old, from Thai Binh) said that 10 days prior, she experienced pain in her neck, shoulders, and back... She was examined at a private clinic near her home, but the doctor did not detect any disease. When the pain spread to her head, accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes in her neck, her family took her to Hanoi for examination.
After four days of treatment, the blisters on her skin had dried up and the pain had subsided, but she was still very uncomfortable.
For Mr. TVP (57 years old, Hanoi), shingles tormented him with continuous pain and spasms in his back and thighs throughout the day. After 3 days of hospital treatment, the spasms decreased and stopped completely, and the pain was reduced by 70-80%. In Mr. P's case, early intervention (within the first month) resulted in a high treatment effectiveness.
Identifying signs
Sharing the signs of shingles, Dr. Thanh said that 2-3 days before the lesions appear, patients usually have a warning sensation such as a burning or stinging feeling, pain in the area where the lesions are about to appear, accompanied by general symptoms such as fatigue, headache... nearby peripheral lymph nodes may be swollen and painful.
Subsequently, lesions appear as raised rashes in the form of large bands or patches, which after 3-4 days develop into round or oval red blisters, scattered or in bands or streaks along the nerve, containing fluid and causing pain.
Dr. Thanh also stated that after 72 hours of skin damage, the virus invades and damages the related nerve roots and nerves. If left untreated, the disease can cause many complications, most commonly nerve pain lasting for months, sometimes even years.
Note the "golden" time.
According to doctors, if shingles becomes chronic (more than 3 months after onset), treatment will be both time-consuming and less effective.
It's important to note that post-herpetic neuralgia is a very common condition but often receives little attention, with many people seeking medical help late. Patients should be aware that the best chance of treatment is before the rash appears. Early antiviral medication can control viral growth, preventing severe damage and complications.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Thuy
According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Head of the Department of Skin Disease Treatment for Women and Children at the Central Dermatology Hospital, shingles is an infection caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV).
People infected with this virus for the first time will have symptoms similar to chickenpox. After a person has completely recovered from chickenpox, the Varicella virus remains dormant in nerve ganglia for months or even years. When favorable conditions arise, such as weakened immunity, stress, or general weakness, the virus will be reactivated, leave its dormant location, travel along the nerves, and cause the symptoms of shingles.
Because many people confuse shingles with insect-borne contact dermatitis, angina (cardiovascular disease), migraines, etc., very few patients seek medical treatment during the "golden" period, which is 24-72 hours after the appearance of lesions.
"Most patients arrive late, which leads to severe complications requiring very long treatment and recovery periods," Dr. Thanh said.
According to Dr. Thanh Thuy, shingles usually appears on one side of the body, such as around the waist, one side of the face, neck, or trunk... Depending on the location of the disease, different complications can occur. For example, shingles on the face are easily accompanied by complications such as facial paralysis (peripheral facial nerve paralysis), which may or may not be completely reversible. Shingles in the eye can cause conjunctivitis, keratitis, and even blindness. Shingles in the ear causes ear pain, facial paralysis, ulcers in the ear, swollen lymph nodes in front of and behind the ear, bleeding, and hearing loss…
Approximately 5-50% of patients will experience post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain) complications. Besides pain, patients may experience numbness, tingling, and itching even after the rash and blisters have subsided. This complication can last for months or years, and if left untreated, can disrupt nerve function and cause paralysis. Particularly dangerous are acute complications such as pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, or spinal cord infection.
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/cho-chu-quan-voi-benh-gioi-leo-192240422234457718.htm
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