Skills-Based Tutorials For Shingles Medications

Skills-Based Tutorial For Shingles Medications

     I know that taking medication for any illness or disease can be stressful, especially if you're unsure how or when to take it or how to apply it if it's topical.  I have put together a list of prescription medications commonly used for the treatment of shingles, as well as over the counter medications and simple every day tips and tricks and how to take or apply each one.  Hopefully this will aid you in your recovery and direct you on the right path towards correct medication usage.

Common Prescription Medications

Acyclovir oral - This medication helps sores heal faster, keeps new sores from former, and decreases pain and itching.  Take this dose as prescribed on the label.  Do not take more than necessary and do not take longer than recommended.  Take this medication with a full glass of water.  Before taking the liquid medication dose, shake the prescription well before you measure out the amount and use a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup to ensure you get the correct amount.  This medication can be taken with or without food, however taking it with food may decrease stomach upset.  

Valacyclovir oral - This medication is the generic brand of Valtrex.  The recommended dosage is 25 mg/mL or 50 mg/mL so make sure to read the label of the prescription you have been prescribed to know the correct dosage you are to be taking.  This medication is usually dispensed as 2 grams twice daily, taken 12 hours apart.  Store the medication at 59 F to 77 F in order for the medication to to remain useful.  

Famvir oral - This is not a cure for the disease but it is used to decrease the severity and length of the outbreaks and is also used to decrease the pain and itching.  Do not drive or use heavy machinery when taking this medication as it does have the potential to make you drowsy.  If you are lactose intolerant, check with your doctor before taking this medication as it does contain lactose.  The recommended dosage of Famvir is 1500 mg as a single dose.  Using this medication as suppressive therapy, it is recommended to take 250 mg twice daily.  Famvir is given as a film-coated tablet as 125 mg in increments of 30, 250 mg in increments of 30, 500 mg in increments of 30, or single unit packages of 50. 

Over the Counter Medications 

Ibuprofen - This medication is used to reduce fever and minor aches and pain.  Follow the directions on the label correctly and make sure not to take more than 500 mg every four to six hours. Its also helpful to take this dosage with food as it will decrease stomach upset.

Aspirin - This medication is also used to reduce fever and minor aches and pain.  Again, please follow the directions on the label correctly and make sure not to exceed more than 2000 mg of aspirin in a single day.  This is dispensed orally and is in pill form.  

Tips and Tricks 

Wash Cloths - You can apply a damp wash cloth to the sores in order to relieve some of the pain as well as dry out the blisters.  Once the blisters dry out they will start to heal.

Shingles Rescue (homeopathic gel) - You apply this gel liberally as needed in order to soothe the pain caused by shingles blisters.  It's an effective, safe and natural gel and contains Croton Tiglium, Natrum Muriaticum, Plantago Major, Rhus Toxicodendron, and Sarsaparilla. It also includes Aloe Vera and St Johns Wart.  

Capsa Cream - This is applied topically and contains Capsaicin extract, peppermint oil and aloe.  It provides maximum strength warming and soothing relief for the pain and can also be applied liberally as needed.  

Emuaid (homeopathic) - This medication reduces inflammation, itching, pain and discomfort.  It also heals lesions and prevents scarring.  This is also an ointment to be applied topically as needed.  



I hope this information has been helpful and has at least provided you with a general place to start.  Please visit the links below for more information on shingles medications, which includes some of the ones I've listed above.  

Emuaid
Shingles Treatments and Drugs
Famvir
Drugs and Medication Search
Shingles Medications

Recommendations for Family Members of Patient's with Shingles

Recommendations for Family Members 

First, you should know that this is an extremely hard and painful time for your family member.  They may not have all the answers and there may be time when they need your help but do not know how to ask for it.  There are a number of things you can do to help your family member and a number of things to know to help you prepare yourself as well.  

Shingles is contagious.  It can be spread to any child or adult who has not had chickenpox.  Instead of getting shingles, however, those who have been infected will get chickenpox.  Those who have previously had chickenpox though cannot catch the shingles virus.  Please be aware, though, that anyone who has had chickenpox has the potential to develop the shingles later in life, though not by contracting it.

If your loved one is in a senior living center, make sure the staff members are looking out for signs of a shingles outbreak.  This could include itching, burning, or numbness of the skin, a tingling sensation, painful pus-filled blisters, rashes, chills, fevers, headaches, or an upset stomach.  There is usually a pattern to developing shingles and the first sign is typically feeling a tingling or burning sensation on their skin followed by the development of a rash.  The rash will then turn to blisters which will eventually dry and turn to a scab.

Though shingles can be very painful, and typically last 3-5 weeks, there are a number of things you can do to help your loved one.  Make sure they are getting enough rest as possible and eating plenty of meals.  Also make sure they are in a stress-free environment as stress has been known to cause shingles and can extend the life of the virus.  Applying a cool washcloth to the blisters will not only help dry the blisters up but will also help to relieve the pain they are causing.  Calamine lotion and colloidal oatmeal baths have also been known to help with the pain.  Over the counter medications may be available but it is always best to consult with your family member's physician before recommending something.  Their physician may have already prescribed medications to help and if that is the case, you should ask for the details so that you can be there to help your loved one take the medication should they need it.

Walking and stretching can also help, and doing activities to take their mind off of the pain and discomfort can help as well.  Watching TV, reading books together, sharing stories, working on hobbies together or talking with friends are all activities that can help not only relieve stress but ease discomfort.  Encourage your family member to talk to you about the pain, how they are feeling, and what they are thinking.  This will not only help them to relax but it will help you better understand how to help your loved one.  Having them open up and tell you the specifics about the pain they are feeling can help you to assess their needs.

Shingles can be an extremely tough time for all individuals, but especially for those who are experiencing the infection.  Not only is it painful and hard to manage by oneself, but it can cause embarrassment and a sense of helplessness.  Please remember to be patient and understanding as well as helpful during this tough time.  Your family member and loved one will be thankful that you took the time to be there for them.  

10 Things Every Caregiver Should Know About Shingles

How To Help With Shingles Pain

Things You Should Know When A Loved One Has Shingles

Who Gets Shingles?

Questions Everyone Should Ask

Questions You Should Ask Your Healthcare Provider

Many times, individuals dealing with Shingles know they need answers to better help them prepare and maintain their health along the way, but they don't know exactly what to ask or what they may need the answers to.  They may also feel embarrassed or ashamed and Family member's also need to ask their loved ones healthcare provider questions to better educate them on how to care for their family member during such a hard time.  Here are a list of questions that may help point you in the right direction and tips on how to gather the information you learn.

Gathering Information

1) Bring someone else with you.  Whether it's a family member or a friend, having someone else there with you will help.  They may remember to ask questions that you have forgotten and they may remember the answers to some as well.  

2) Try to write down everything the doctor relays to you.  That way you have your own reference materials handy for later when you may need them.  Sometimes reading something written in your own words can help you remember details you may otherwise forget.  It may also be easier to remember important details when you're reading your own words.

3) If you think of questions you have and want answers to, write them down and bring them with you.  That way you already have a head start and you're unlikely to forget them.

4) The most important tip to gathering information is do not be afraid to ask!!  Your healthcare provider is your best source for first hand information and that is what they are there for.  They can also give you tips on how to obtain additional information if it's needed.

Specific Questions to Ask Your Doctor

1) Ask your doctor if you are contagious.  Shingles can be contagious in certain situations and it's important for you to know whether or not your outbreak can be spread to someone else who may be highly susceptible to the infection.

2) If you are contagious, ask how you can avoid passing the infection to other people.  

3) Ask about your medications.  This is really important, especially if your medical doctor is prescribing something to you. Ask:

     A) Which treatments can relieve your pain and discomfort.

     B) Which treatments can help eliminate the infection altogether.

     C) Which medications can help prevent any possible complications.

     D) When and how often you should take any medications that have been prescribed.  

     E) What are the benefits of taking each medication and what are the side effects?

     F) Will they interact with each other and will they interact with any over the counter medications you may take.

     G) Are there any activities you shouldn't do or anything you should avoid while taking these medications?

4) If you get shingles on your face, how should you protect your eyes from infection.

5) What signs of an injected eye should you be looking for?

6) How likely are complications from shingles?

7) What treatments are available if you do suffer from complications? 

8) Last but not least, ask your medical doctor what other resources are available for information if you have other questions.

Questions for Family Members to Ask

1) What can you expect to happen to your family member during an outbreak?

2) How can you help your family member prepare for an outbreak and how can you help them through it?

3) Should you be monitoring your family member and when should you call your family member's doctor?

4) Should you be avoiding close contact with your family member and are you at risk for catching shingles?

5) Should you be vaccinated and will being vaccinated now make a difference?

6) Are there any brochures or printed materials that you can take with you to help you understand?

This is just a general list of some of the important questions that should not be overlooked.  As a reminder, taking a family member or a friend with you to an appointment is better than going alone for a number of reasons.  Do not be embarrassed or ashamed to ask any question you would like to know the answer to.  Your doctor is there to provide information as well as to help you through this time.  Below is a list of some websites that may be helpful as well.  You may read through the information and come up with a number of questions on your own that you feel may be important or beneficial for you.

Preparing For Your Appointment

Get Ready To Talk To Your Doctor

Talking To Your Doctor About Shingles

Self Management for Shingles Patients

  

Every Day Self-Management for Shingles Patients

As stated previously, having shingles can be extremely painful as well as hard to manage, especially on one’s own.  When a shingles outbreak occurs, one can experience not only the blisters and rashes but also headaches, migraines, fever and nausea.  Along the outbreak site, patients may also experience tingling, burning, sharp pains or even an itching sensation.  All of this is hard to manage even with help, so trying to manage it on one's own can indeed be difficult.  Having the right information on how to care for each symptom, however, can make it better and more manageable.  Here is a list of the possible side effects from a shingles outbreak and how you can treat them.

Blisters/Rashes  

Applying cool tap-water compresses for 20 minute intervals several times a day on blisters can help dry the blisters.  This will also help to remove the scabs and any bacterial infections that would otherwise occur.  Keeping the area clean with soap and water is a good way to limit the chances of infection as well and applying vaseline can help the healing process as well.  Applying cornstarch, baking soda, or any topical antibiotic prescribed by the doctor can aid in the healing process and limit the pain as well.

Migraines/Headaches 

At the first sign of a headache, it is always best to drink water and try ibuprofen.  This limits the possibility of it turning into a migraine later.  However, if you do experience a migraine, over the counter medicines such as Excedrin Migraine or Excedrin Extra Strength, or even mixing one Excedrin Migraine and one Aleve will help to relieve the migraine tension.  There are also a number of prescription migraine medications such as Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, and Naproxen Sodium to name just a few.  Be sure to check with your treating physician before taking a prescribed migraine medication if you are already taking another medication for shingles.

Sharp Pains/Tingles

There are antiviral medications that will help limit the pain such as acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir.  These must be prescribed by your regular treating physician but will also reduce the duration of the shingles outbreak.  You can also use ibuprofen, tylenol or any over the counter medication to reduce the pain sensations.  While taking these medications, make sure to read the labels carefully and pay attention to the frequency and dosages.

Nausea 

There are several over the counter medications for nausea as well including pepto bismol, emetrol, zantac, and McKesson's anti-nausea oral liquid medication.  There are also prescription medications for nausea like Zofran or Tigan Intramuscular among many others.  These may be useful if you are experiencing nausea frequently and are unable to continue with daily activities due to the sickness.

Other helpful tips:

Try to wear as loose of clothing as possible to keep the fabric from sticking to the blisters and sores.  When the fabric sticks to the dry blisters, it will cause them to rip off and become even more painful.  Clothing that rubs against the blisters or rash will also cause a painful sensation even if it does not cause the blisters to rip or peel prematurely.  Do not scratch the area where the rash is.  Instead, try applying a topical ointment to keep the itching to a minimum.  A topical benedryl or lidocaine should help.  Be sure to see your doctor within the first 48 hours of an onset of a rash.  Early treatment can greatly reduce the symptoms as well as the possibility of complications later on.

For more information on helpful treatment strategies, please see any of the following websites:

My Dr - Shingles Self Care

E Medicine Health - Shingles Treatment

WebMD - Drugs and Medication Search

WebMD - Shingles Treatment Overview

Introduction to Shingles

Shingles

What are shingles?

       Shingles are defined as "a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, especially by reactivated virus in an older person, characterized by skin eruptions and pain along the course of involved sensory nerves" (Dictionary.com).  It is an extremely painful, blistering skin rash that can break out over any part of the body.  Shingles occurs if you have had chickenpox and the virus becomes active again after being dormant for an extended period of time.  When someone "gets rid of" chickenpox, they are not really getting rid of the virus, it has become dormant and "remains inactive in certain nerves in the body" (NCBI.com).  When the virus becomes active in those nerves again, shingles breaks out.  There is no known explanation for why the virus suddenly becomes active, however there is usually only one attack.  You are more susceptible to being affected by shingles if you had the chickenpox virus before the age of one and you are older than age 60.  

What are the symptoms of shingles?

The first sign of a shingles outbreak is usually a burning or painful tingling sensation along one part of the body or within a certain area of the body.  The burning and painful tingling sensation can occur before the rash is visible.  After onset of the rash, the following symptoms are typical of shingles:

Fever and chills

Headaches

Joint pain

Swollen glands

Hearing loss

Loss of eye motion

pain and muscle weakness

Vision problems and drooping eyelids

Taste problems

Red blisters typically appear, which form small sores that will "begin to dry and form crusts.  The crusts fall off in 2 to 3 weeks and scarring is rare" (NCBI.com).  The most commonly affected area of shingles is along the spine, abdomen and chest, however, sometimes shingles can form on the face around the eyes, mouth and ears.   

What do shingles look like?

Shingles usually look like a big patch of red, inflamed, or blistered skin quite similar to a rash.  Below are some examples of what shingles outbreaks typically look like.

This is an example of a chicken pox outbreak before it goes dormant which has the potential to become shingles later in life.

Pictured here are shingles around the abdomen area extending around the back area towards the spine.

Here is an example of a shingles outbreak on the face region, including the eyes and mouth.

This is an example of the small blistering sores that typically form and will eventually dry and turn into crusts.

This is another example of a shingles outbreak, however, without smaller and not as inflamed.

Looking for more information?

The following websites have tons of useful information of what shingles are, how they occur and what to look for, some of which I've included here.  

WebMD - Shingles Health Center

U.S. National Library of Medicine - Shingles

Mayo Clinic - Diseases and Conditions, Shingles

EMedicine Health - Shingles

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Shingles Overview

Later, I'll be discussing day to day self management for those who have shingles, recommendations for family members of patients who are dealing with the virus, questions family members and patients should both ask their health care providers in regards to the virus, along with a couple of skills-based tutorials and an overview of medications that are recommended for treatment.