ShinglesI developed a rash on the left side of my midriff some time ago but did not know it was shingles until I recently visited my doctor about another problem. She told me that at this stage it was too late to treat it, but surely as I still had the scars I would have benefited from treatment?
Shingles is an infection in a nerve caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. It's more often seen in those over the age of 50. It usually occurs as a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that lies dormant in the nerve. It can be stirred into activity by a variety of factors including stress or the loss of natural immunity that occurs with age. It may develop anywhere on the body but the most common sites are the chest, abdomen and face. Treatment of the condition with antiviral drugs work well but these must be administered within the first three days of onset of the rash. Unfortunately a delay in treatment can prolong the illness. As it was some time before the diagnosis was made antiviral drugs would have little therapeutic impact.
Will it ever go away completely?
A delay in treatment of the initial illness will unfortunately result in a delay in recovery. The rash tends to develop in the groups of blisters on the skin that is supplied by the affected nerve. They tend to be itchy, weep and then crust over. The phase usually resolves after about a week, but scars may remain or the skin may be discoloured. Even when the rash is fully healed the skin can remain sensitive for some time. The pain experienced during an outbreak can range from mild to severe and is often described as burning. It usually lasts for between one to four weeks after the blisters disappear.
I'm due to have minor surgery soon and wonder if I can still go ahead or would it be better to wait until it is completely cleared up?
Your immune system will have been put under stress as a result of the illness so if the procedure is not urgent then it may be best to wait until you are fully recovered before undergoing it.