Shingles is a painful viral condition that is characterized by development of rash. The rash consists of blisters that erupt in limited areas on one side of the face and body. The varicella zoster virus is responsible for causing this condition. There is no shingles treatment that can offer permanent cure from this condition.

While shingles may not be completely cured some form of shingles treatment can help in shortening the length of this condition and complications can also be prevented. The treatment options for this condition include antiviral medications prescribed in combination with corticosteroids. This prescription is given so as to reduce the pain associated with this condition along with the duration of this condition.

Shingles treatment also includes prescription of some pain medication along with topical creams and antidepressants. This is prescribed so as to relieve the long term pain. As soon as a diagnosis of shingles is made the doctor will start the patient on antiviral medication. The medicines should be started within 2 days of observing the rash and this will lower the possibility of having other problems like postherpetic neuralgia.

Early shingles treatment is extremely important as the condition can become serious if immediate treatment is not sought. The antiviral medicines that may be commonly prescribed include famciclovir, acyclovir and valacyclovir. Some over the counter medicines may also be prescribed for the pain and these include aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Corticosteroids are also prescribed in combination with the antiviral medicines so as to reduce the duration of this infection and also the pain.

Shingles treatment also includes certain antibiotics that need to be applied to the skin directly so as to stop the infection of the blisters. If the pain persists for more than a month following the healing of the shingles rash the doctor may diagnose the condition as postherpetic neuralgia. This is a common complication with shingles and can cause pain for a long period of time.

Shingles treatment for complications like postherpetic neuralgia includes antidepressant medication like tricyclic antidepressant along with topical anesthetics like lidocaine patches. These patches help to numb the area. Anticonvulsant medication including pregabalin and gabapentin is also prescribed as are opiads like codeine. Some other topical creams like capsaicin can offer some relief from the pain.

Disseminated zoster refers to a blistery rash that covers a large portion of the body and it may affect the vital organs of the body. Treatment for this may include antiviral medicines so as to prevent the virus as well as antibiotics to stop the virus from multiplying. In case of serious complications involving the cranial nerves the treatment may be undertaken based on the area where the complication is located as well as the nature of the complication.

It is advisable for patients to avoid scratching the area of the rash and this can increase the possibility of a secondary bacterial infection along with scarring. Cool compresses with tap water can be applied to the weeping blisters to soothe and dry the blisters. The area of the rash should be kept clean and it is advisable to wear loose clothes.