Shingles

Diagnosis

Shingles is usually diagnosed based on your medical history, particularly pain on one side of the body, along with the characteristic rash and blisters. In some cases, your healthcare provider may take a tissue sample or culture from the blisters to send to a lab for confirmation.

Treatment

There is no cure for shingles, but early treatment with prescription antiviral medications can speed healing and reduce the risk of complications. Common antiviral drugs include:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)

• Famciclovir

• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Because shingles can cause significant pain, your healthcare provider may also recommend:

• Topical treatments such as capsaicin patches (Qutenza)

• Anticonvulsants like gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant)

• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline

• Numbing agents like lidocaine in cream, gel, spray, or patch form

• Injections that include corticosteroids and local anesthetics

Shingles usually lasts between 2 and 6 weeks. Most people experience it only once, but recurrence is possible.