What are the treatments for shingles ? (Part 1 of 2)

Two main aims of treating shingles are:
1. To ease any pain and discomfort during the episode of shingles.
2. To prevent, as much as possible, postherpetic neuralgia from developing (described above).

General measures
Loose fitting cotton clothes are best to reduce irritating the affected area of skin. Pain may be eased by cooling the affected area with ice cubes (wrapped in a plastic bag), wet dressings, or a cool bath. A non-adherent dressing that covers the rash when it is blistered and raw may help to reduce pain caused by contact with clothing. Oily calamine lotion may be helpful if the rash is itchy.

Painkillers
For example, paracetamol, or paracetamol combined with codeine, or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may give some relief. Strong painkillers such as oxycodone and tramadol may be needed in some cases. Antiviral drugs Antiviral drugs include aciclovir, famciclovir, and valaciclovir. An antiviral drug does not kill the virus but works by stopping the virus from multiplying. So, it may limit the severity of symptoms of the shingles episode. It had also been hoped that antiviral drugs would reduce the risk of pain persisting into postherpetic neuralgia. However, the research so far has shown that the current antiviral drugs taken during an episode of shingles do not seem to have much impact on the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia. Further research is needed in this area to determine if certain groups of patients do benefit and if newer antiviral drugs can prevent postherpetic neuralgia.

An antiviral drug is most useful when started in the early stages of shingles (within 72 hours of the rash appearing). However, in some cases your doctor may still advise an antiviral drug even if the rash is more than 72 hours old - particularly in elderly people with severe shingles, or if shingles affects an eye.
Antiviral drugs are not advised routinely for everybody with shingles. For example, young adults and children who develop shingles on their abdomen very often have mild symptoms and have a low risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Therefore, in this situation an antiviral drug is not necessary. Your doctor will advise if you should take an antiviral drug.