04/22/2026
It’s people over 50 yrs of age who is at risk. Why? Because shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. It lies dormant in the trigeminal nerve ending until after age 50. It also affects those with compromised immune systems. More importantly, both the chicken pox and shingles look the same. They manifest as painful blisters in a rash like pattern especially on the back and mud area of the torso. And can take up to 2-4 weeks to clear up.
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Others symptoms are:
Pulsating electric shocks
Intense burning sensation
Sharp stabbing pains
An unbearable itch
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In addition, it can cause vision and hearing loss if the rash lasts in these areas.
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Last, there are a few ways to treat it:
1.) Let the rash & virus run its course
2.) Get the shingles vaccine. But note that viruses don’t have a nucleus so there is no way to prevent a mutation or an additional outbreak 😷
3.) Antivirals such as: Acyclovir
4.) Tylenol
5.) Capsaicin cream for localized pain
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Here’s to patient teaching and educating our patients. If you know someone who has had shingles, share this post with them to help them along.
