What should not be eaten with herpes zoster?

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Patients with herpes zoster need to pay close attention to their diet. Firstly, they should avoid overly greasy and overly spicy foods. Seafood and barbecue should also be avoided as much as possible. Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited. Secondly, patients with herpes zoster generally have lower immunity and weaker constitutions. Therefore, it is recommended to eat more soy products, or foods rich in protein, such as fish and lean meat. It is also necessary to consume plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and eat foods that are easy to digest. Lastly, patients with herpes zoster should try to eat fewer acidic foods, such as spinach, carbonated drinks, and other beverages that contain additives.

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Can shingles be contagious?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus infection. It has mild contagiousness, but the contagious period is very short, typically lasting about a week from when blisters appear to when they dry up. During this period, try to avoid contact with very young children or elderly people with low immunity, otherwise, it may be transmitted to them. Once diagnosed, it must be treated formally. Common antiviral medications can cure it. This disease can also easily leave complications, so it is crucial to detect and treat it early. During treatment, it is advisable to take some neuro-nourishing medications orally, avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, exercise moderately, rest more, and drink plenty of water.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Can people with herpes zoster take a bath?

Whether or not someone who has herpes zoster (shingles) can take a bath depends on the individual’s condition. Most patients can bathe, but they must not scrub, especially at the areas affected by the rash. A minority of patients should avoid bathing if their blisters have ruptured, leading to open sores that could facilitate a secondary bacterial infection. In such cases, bathing is not recommended as it may worsen the infection.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How long does it generally take for herpes zoster to heal?

Most patients, if they do not develop complications from shingles, generally recover within two to four weeks. However, many patients who do develop related complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia, motor paralysis, or gastrointestinal or urinary tract diseases from shingles, have an uncertain recovery time. It could be several weeks, months, or even years. Therefore, once shingles occur, it is essential to seek timely medical treatment at a formal hospital and pay attention to enhancing one's immunity.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Can people with shingles take a bath?

Whether you can bathe during shingles depends on the individual. If it is in the early stage of shingles, where only some blisters have formed and the skin has not broken, you can occasionally bathe. However, if the shingles are severe and have led to an infection with broken skin and bacterial infection, it is not advisable to bathe. In general, it is better to avoid bathing while suffering from shingles, as this can aid in the recovery of the condition. If you feel dirty, it is recommended to wipe yourself with a wet cloth.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Does herpes zoster require hospitalization?

Whether hospitalization is needed after contracting shingles depends on the severity of the condition. In most cases, shingles is mild and does not require hospitalization. Treatment can be managed with oral antiviral medications, supplements to nourish the nerves, and topical medications. However, if the shingles is severe and causes complications, hospitalization may be necessary. It is advised to maintain a light diet, avoid overly spicy foods, and ensure adequate rest.