Nearly blinded by applying green beans to treat shingles

Hanoi – A 45-year-old man suffering from shingles crushed mung beans and feminine hygiene powder and applied the mixture to the sores, causing the ulcers to worsen and preventing him from opening his eyes.

On January 11th, Dr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, a member of the Vietnam Dermatology Association, reported that the patient presented with a cluster of blisters on one side of the forehead, which were swollen and red, spreading down to the eye socket and bridge of the nose, and the right eye had suddenly become blurry. The doctor diagnosed the patient with complications of shingles, also known as herpes zoster.

The man said he had had shingles for 5 days and thought it was a simple ailment, so he tried a folk remedy: crushing mung beans and applying them to the blisters. However, the more he applied it, the more severe and painful the sores became. He then used a packet of feminine hygiene powder on the affected area. After two days, the sores became so swollen and painful that he couldn't open his eyes, and he finally went to see a doctor.

The doctor determined that the patient had shingles but did not receive proper treatment, leading to infection, corneal damage, and a risk of corneal scarring and reduced vision. The patient was given antibiotics, antiviral drugs, painkillers, local care, and laser treatment to reduce swelling and redness.

Shingles can cause persistent, long-lasting pain. Photo: CNN — Shingles can cause persistent, long-lasting pain. Photo: *CNN*

Shingles is a common disease, often mistaken for insect-induced contact dermatitis, angina (cardiovascular disease), migraines, etc. In reality, very few patients seek medical treatment during the crucial "golden time" (24 to 72 hours after the appearance of lesions), leading to very serious complications.

Signs and symptoms of shingles include a burning sensation and pain in the area where lesions are about to appear, along with fatigue and headache. The basic lesions usually begin as red, slightly swollen patches, raised above the skin surface, scattered or clustered in strips. After 1-2 hours, fluid-filled blisters appear on the red patches, tense and difficult to burst, clustered together like a bunch of grapes. Swollen and painful lymph nodes are often present in the corresponding area and are an important sign for diagnosis.

The best time to treat the disease is within 72 hours of skin lesions. After this time, the virus has already invaded and damaged the relevant nerve roots and nerves. If left untreated, the disease can cause many complications, most commonly nerve pain lasting for months, sometimes even years. If the disease is localized to the forehead, eye sockets, or nose, it can cause reduced vision or complete vision loss; or if it occurs on the cheeks, it can cause facial paralysis or crooked mouth.

Doctor Thanh warned that when a wound ruptures, it easily forms pus, leading to complications such as inflammation and ulceration of the skin. Applying folk remedies incorrectly or at the wrong time can cause inflammation, secondary infections, and wound infection, leaving permanent scars.

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