How long does it generally take for herpes zoster to heal?

Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
Updated on November 07, 2024
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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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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
35sec home-news-image

What is shingles?

Herpes zoster is a viral skin disease, and humans are the only hosts for the varicella-zoster virus. Therefore, the virus can easily enter the bloodstream through the respiratory tract mucosa, leading to viremia, and consequently causing chickenpox or presenting as a latent infection. The virus can lie dormant for long periods in our ganglia or nerve roots. When the body is stimulated again, leading to a decrease in resistance, the dormant virus can be activated, which may result in herpes zoster.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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herpes zoster symptoms

The symptoms of herpes zoster primarily manifest as irregular erythema on certain parts of the body's skin, followed by clusters of rice-grain or mung bean-sized raised vesicular rash, blisters, and blood blisters. These rashes generally appear on one side of the body, not crossing the body's midline, and are accompanied by local sensations of burning, scalding pain, stabbing pain, numbness, itching, and other abnormal neural sensations.

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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.

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Written by Yu Gang
Dermatology Department
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Can you drink alcohol with herpes zoster?

Herpes zoster is caused by a viral infection of the nerves, usually following a cold. It is important to rest, avoid alcohol, and not eat spicy or rich foods. Additionally, take some antiviral medication such as acyclovir orally, and vitamins B1 and B12 to nourish the nerves. Make sure to rest well, avoid staying up late, and refrain from overexertion. For external use, it is best to apply some acyclovir to prevent infection.