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Shingles Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Shingles or herpes zoster is often a painful skin rash. It is caused by a germ called varicella zoster virus. ‚  
Herpes zoster infects a nerve and the skin that the nerve supplies. It most often affects only one side of the body. The face, around the eyes, and the forehead are often involved. ‚  
The pain, itching, and rash are not harmful but can make people feel uncomfortable. First, pain is felt on one side of the face or body. Then, the rash appears as fluid-filled blisters. Finally, the healing starts and scabs form. It may take 3 to 4 weeks for the scabs to fully heal. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
  • Keep your blisters covered. Do not touch your dressing if you have not washed your hands. Change the dressing every day or if it gets soaked.
  • Do not touch or scratch the rash.
  • Ask your doctor when it is safe to take a bath or shower.
  • Use mild soap and water to wash your blisters. Make sure not to scratch your blisters when drying yourself.
  • Avoid cleaning you ears if your blisters are near the ear. You may scratch a blister inside your ear and worsen your condition.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • You doctor may send you to a special doctor for nerves, eyes, or ears. Who you see depends on the part of your body the illness affects.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Relieve itchiness
  • Fight the virus
  • Keep your eyes moist
  • Numb the affected area

Will physical activity be limited?


Your activity may be limited for a few days. You may not feel like going out if the rash can be seen by other people. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Infection of the eye and the skin around the eye
  • Long-term pain after the rash goes away
  • Ear infection
  • Skin infection
  • Weakness

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Stay healthy. Keep your bodys immune system at its best by eating healthy foods and vegetables.
  • Wash your hands often. Wash for 15 seconds or more with soap and warm water.
  • Do not share towels, go swimming, or play contact sports with people with shingles if you never had chickenpox.
  • Ask your doctor about getting a shingles shot.
  • If you are pregnant, stay away from anyone who has herpes zoster until the scabs are gone. The virus might harm your unborn baby.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Very bad pain that is not helped by the drugs you are taking
  • Eyesight changes
  • Hearing problems
  • Another infection
  • Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse

Helpful tips


  • Wear loose-fitting clothes.
  • Wear sunglasses when you go out to cover the affected eye and to keep it moist.
  • Stay away from pregnant women, infants, cancer patients, and people with low immune defenses.
  • If you see a rash or think that a painful part on your body may be caused by herpes zoster, see you doctor right away. Early treatment may shorten the length and severity of the illness.

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you how I will take care of my blisters.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have very bad pain or another infection.

Where can I learn more?


American Academy of Dermatology ‚  
http://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/q---t/shingles ‚  
Center for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/overview.html ‚  
FamilyDoctor.org ‚  
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/shingles/treatment.html ‚  
National Institute of Health ¢ ˆ ’ Senior Health ‚  
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/shingles/aboutshingles/01.html ‚  
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚  
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/detail_shingles.htm ‚  
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚  
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/686/viewAbstract ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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