Does herpes zoster require a special diet?

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on January 12, 2025
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During the course of shingles, it is definitely necessary to avoid certain foods. Firstly, one must abstain from smoking and alcohol, as they are very detrimental to the recovery from shingles. Secondly, it is essential to avoid certain stimulating and aggravating foods, such as seafood, beef, lamb, and spices like onions, ginger, and garlic. Lastly, while avoiding these foods, one should consume more nutritious foods such as apples, carrots, pork, lean meat, and milk.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Does shingles leave scars?

After shingles heal, in most cases, there are no scars left. Shingles typically cause symptoms such as blisters or rashes on the skin, which are mostly located in the epidermal layer of the skin and do not infect below the dermis. Therefore, once these blisters heal, they only scab over on the epidermal layer. After the scab falls off, the original skin regrows without any scarring. However, if the patient is prone to scarring, they are generally left with scars.

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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 Liu Gang
Dermatology
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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 I eat chicken with herpes zoster?

People with shingles can eat chicken. Shingles is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, often occurring in patients with low immunity. The onset of shingles is not directly related to diet. After contracting shingles, it is recommended to rest and eat protein-rich foods such as chicken to enhance the body's resistance, which is beneficial for the recovery of the disease. This provides the necessary nutrients to complement the medical treatment of shingles.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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How is herpes zoster transmitted?

Shingles is caused by the activation of the varicella-zoster virus that lies dormant in the nerve roots, affecting both the skin and nerves. There are several ways shingles can spread, mainly through direct contact or droplet transmission. Direct contact transmission primarily occurs because the blister fluid in shingles blisters contains a high concentration of the virus. Therefore, before the blisters of a person with shingles are completely dry, they are somewhat contagious, primarily affecting those with lower resistance such as the elderly, children, women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and so on.