Quick to the doctor!
In case of suspected shingles, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is important that you take as soon as possible, a drug that inhibits the proliferation of viruses (antiviral, such as acyclovir or brivudine). This shortens the course of the disease and prevent the nerve pain and damage.
Especially important is that the drug is taken for the treatment of shingles in a few hours. It is: the faster the better. Tell the receptionist your suspicion of shingles with, so you do not lose valuable time in the waiting room.
For pain that occur during a shingles, help painkillers. Take care of yourself while you are sick.
Postherpetic neuralgia
If a shingles was not treated quickly enough, can still occur weeks later, strong and persistent nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia). Such symptoms can persist for months or years and are treated with the strongest painkillers - sometimes in combination with antidepressants. These support the analgesic effect.
Very useful for such nerve pain, certain medications, which were originally used for epilepsy (AEDs) are. These include the active ingredients Carpamazepin or gabapentin, approved to treat postherpetic neuralgia. Even with the addition of an anesthetic ointment or capsaicin can relieve the pain.
