Shingles
Shingles is an extremely painful reactivation of the childhood chicken pox disease. Afflicting mainly adults, shingles usually appears in a belt-like pattern on half of the body and looks like it is in rows, like roofing shingles. Shingles generally affects the chest or back, but can pop up anywhere. Sufferers feel pain before the rash appears. In severe cases, the disease can cause nerve damage.
Oral Pain Medications
Oral pain medications are the method of treatment at the onset of the disease. Narcotics such as codeine or Demerol may be prescribed to provide relief. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may also serve to control swelling and pain.
Antiviral Medications
Antiviral medications are usually prescribed to help prevent the spread of the rash to other areas of the body. Common prescribed are Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex. These antiviral medications help to reduce swelling and reduce the chances of long-term pain associated with nerve problems after the disease itself has healed.
Topical Creams
Topical creams are often prescribed to help deaden the nerves and prevent pain and spread. Zostrix and Zostrix-HP are the . Initially, they may cause a stinging sensation before the pain relief sets in.
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