Wellness Tips from Josef Schenker, MD
Welcome to our Wellness Tips series, brought to you by Dr. Josef Schenker, the Medical Director at Centers Urgent Care. With extensive experience in internal medicine and emergency medical services, Dr. Schenker provides practical advice to help you manage common health concerns and stay proactive about your well-being.
In this series, Dr. Schenker addresses a variety of important health topics, offering expert insights to help you better understand, prevent, and manage common conditions. From managing seasonal illnesses to maintaining overall wellness, these tips are designed to help you stay healthy, informed, and prepared to face everyday health challenges with confidence.
Treating Shingles
Shingles affects nearly 1 in 3 people in the United States during their lifetime. Each year, an estimated 1 million Americans develop shingles, making it a common yet often misunderstood condition. While anyone can get shingles, it’s more common in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
Early medical intervention is crucial in managing shingles. Left untreated, it can lead to complications like postherpetic neuralgia, a type of nerve pain that can persist for months or even years after the rash clears. Dr. Schenker is here to guide you in understanding the condition and knowing when to seek help.
Dr. Josef Schenker Explains What is Shingles
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate years later as shingles.
Shingles usually presents as a painful rash that appears in a band-like pattern on one side of the body or face. While it’s most common on the torso, shingles can also affect the face, scalp, or even the eyes — a condition known as ophthalmic shingles, which requires immediate medical attention.
According to Dr. Josef Schenker, certain factors like age, stress, and weakened immunity can trigger shingles. Knowing what to watch for can help you respond quickly and seek the right treatment.
Symptoms
Shingles symptoms can vary, but they often follow a predictable pattern. Common signs include:
- Pain or Burning Sensation: Often the first symptom, this discomfort may feel like tingling, itching, or stabbing pain.
- Red Rash: A patch of red, inflamed skin typically appears a few days after the initial pain.
- Fluid-Filled Blisters: These blisters can break open and scab over as they heal.
- Itching: The affected area may feel intensely itchy, adding to the discomfort.
- Fever and Chills: Some individuals experience flu-like symptoms alongside the rash.
- Fatigue: Shingles can leave you feeling unusually tired or drained.
- Headache and Sensitivity to Light: These symptoms may develop, particularly with shingles affecting the face or eyes.
Josef Schenker, MD emphasizes that recognizing these symptoms early can help you seek treatment before the condition worsens.
How is Shingles Diagnosed?
Diagnosing shingles typically involves a physical examination of the rash and a review of your symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may take a sample from the blisters to confirm the presence of the varicella-zoster virus.
If you suspect you have shingles, it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Josef Schenker, MD reiterates that early diagnosis can significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of complications like long-term nerve pain.
Josef Schenker, MD, Explains How Shingles is Treated
According to Josef Schenker, MD, while there’s no cure for shingles, several treatments can help manage symptoms and speed recovery. These include:
- Antiviral Medications: Drugs like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can reduce the severity and duration of shingles if started early. These medications work by stopping the virus from multiplying, which helps the rash heal faster and reduces the risk of nerve damage. Starting antiviral treatment within 72 hours of the rash appearing is ideal for the best results.
- Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help manage discomfort. For more intense pain, prescription medications such as gabapentin, pregabalin, or even low-dose opioids may be necessary. These options help control nerve pain, particularly in cases of postherpetic neuralgia.
- Topical Creams: Applying calamine lotion can reduce itching and dry out blisters, promoting faster healing. Capsaicin cream, derived from chili peppers, may also provide relief by desensitizing nerve endings. While capsaicin may cause temporary burning at first, many people find it effective for long-term pain relief.
- Corticosteroids: For individuals with severe swelling or shingles affecting the face, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. These medications can also help decrease the risk of nerve pain in some cases.
- Cool Compresses: Gently applying a cool, damp cloth to the affected area can provide instant relief by soothing the rash, calming irritation, and reducing swelling.
- Oatmeal Baths: Soaking in an oatmeal bath can provide significant relief from itching and discomfort. Colloidal oatmeal products are designed to soothe irritated skin, and adding these to lukewarm bathwater can be especially helpful during flare-ups.
Starting treatment early can minimize complications and help you recover faster.
How to Prevent Shingles?
Prevention plays a key role in reducing your risk of shingles. Consider these strategies:
- Get Vaccinated: The Shingrix vaccine is highly effective in preventing shingles and its complications. It’s recommended for adults 50 and older.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of shingles. Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help.
- Practice Healthy Habits: Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can boost your immune system.
- Avoid Close Contact: If you have shingles, avoid direct contact with people who haven’t had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine — especially pregnant individuals, infants, and those with weakened immune systems.
By taking these preventive steps, Dr. Josef Schenker you can significantly lower your risk of developing shingles.
Josef Schenker, MD, Answers Frequently Asked Questions:
No, shingles cannot be cured permanently. While there’s no permanent cure, antiviral treatments can effectively manage symptoms, reduce the risk of complications, and speed up recovery. Additionally, the shingles vaccine provides long-term protection, significantly lowering the chances of future outbreaks.
Shingles is often triggered by factors such as stress, aging, or a weakened immune system. Certain medical conditions, treatments like chemotherapy, or even prolonged fatigue can weaken the body’s defenses, prompting the dormant varicella-zoster virus to reactivate as shingles.
See a doctor as soon as you notice early signs like a burning pain, tingling sensations, or a red rash appearing in a band-like pattern. Prompt medical attention can improve recovery outcomes, reduce discomfort, and lower the risk of developing long-term nerve pain.
Shingles Treatment: Trust the Experts
Shingles can be painful and frustrating, but with the right care, you can manage symptoms and prevent complications. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are key to improving your recovery and protecting your long-term health.
If you suspect you have shingles or want to learn more about prevention, Centers Urgent Care can provide the help you need. Dr. Josef Schenker and his dedicated team of experts are here to provide expert care and guide you through your recovery journey. Visit any of our New York locations today!
About Josef Schenker, MD:
Dr. Josef Schenker, a board-certified expert in internal medicine and emergency medical services, brings extensive experience and compassion to his role as Medical Director and Partner at Centers Urgent Care. With leadership in SeniorCare Emergency Medical Services and as an Attending Physician at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, Dr. Schenker oversees critical care and treatment protocols across varied medical needs. His dedication extends to chairing NYC REMAC, ensuring adherence to state standards in emergency medical procedures. At Centers Urgent Care, Dr. Schenker's expertise ensures prompt, high-quality emergency care for patients of all ages, supported by state-of-the-art facilities including a dedicated pediatric suite.
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