Treatment of herpes zoster in the elderly - detailed treatments

Tinea is a pathology of viral genesis that develops when a herpes virus of type 3 enters the body. The disease is characterized by a severe chronic course with seasonal flare-ups( most often in the fall and spring).In some cases, the incubation process may take several years. In people with strong immunity, the disease does not develop, as the cells of the immune system suppress the activity of the viral agent.

If the defenses of the body are weakened, there is a marked symptomatology and a characteristic pain syndrome. The majority of cases are people over 45 years old and elderly patients - they have a particularly difficult pathology, as not all drugs are suitable for use at this age. Therapy of shingles in elderly patients should be selected by a specialist taking into account individual factors and the general condition of the patient, as well as assessing the possible risks and consequences.

Types of the disease

It is important to diagnose the form of lichen in order to draw up a plan of medical measures. Each of them has its own characteristics and signs that you need to know in order not to make a mistake with the choice of methods of treatment.

Pathology form	Distinctive features and clinical symptoms
Generalized	Rash may appear on several parts of the body. Painful vesicles and blemishes can cover not only skin but also mucous membranes( including the mouth and genital organs).In particularly severe cases, the affected area occupies up to 90% of the body surface( such forms of shingles are very rare)
Bullous	With this form, small bubbles are located close to each other and merge into one large blister. After its breakthrough, a dark spot remains on the affected area, and a scab( areas of necrotic tissue) is formed.
Visceral	Severe form of the disease, in which internal organs are involved in the process. In the visceral form of shingles, patients of any age are treated only in a hospital setting.
Abortive	The rash occurs almost immediately after the onset. Pain syndrome is usually absent, which makes diagnosis difficult. Blisters and vesicles in the abortive form of lichen arise only in 17% of cases. This type of pathology is called latent

Do I need to be hospitalized?

In most cases, treatment of herpes zoster in elderly patients can be performed on an outpatient basis, but sometimes urgent hospitalization is required. Even with generalized or bullous form of shingles, inpatient treatment and constant medical supervision may be required. Indications for hospital stay are:

• age over 75;
• immunodeficiency in history;
• allergic reactions to medicines( especially if anaphylactic reactions were previously recorded in the patient);
• severe chronic diseases, which can worsen when taking certain medications( especially kidney and liver diseases).

Important! When deciding on methods and methods of treatment, it is important to consider which family member has had chicken pox( chickenpox).If people living on the territory with the patient do not suffer from this disease, the patient is hospitalized in the hospital, as the probability of infection of other households is high. The fact that shingles is caused by the same virus as chicken pox, so it is important to be careful when dealing with such patients.

Than to treat shingles in the elderly?

When choosing a treatment strategy, the age of the patient, his state of health, the presence of chronic pathologies and other factors that may affect the safety or effectiveness of treatment are taken into account. Therapy in patients older than 55 years is aimed at the following objectives:

• suppression of virus activity;
• elimination of pain syndrome;
• decreased intoxication and improved overall well-being;
• restoration of the body's defenses.

Video - Shingles

Medication Therapy

The main group of drugs used to treat herpes in the elderly is antiviral drugs. They destroy the protein envelope of the virus, inhibit its activity and prevent the spread of infection to internal organs. Antiviral medications based on interferon will help not only to destroy the virus, but also to strengthen immunity by stimulating the development of its own interferon.

The most effective drug for the treatment of diseases caused by the herpes virus is today considered to be " Acyclovir ".It can be taken orally in the form of tablets or used for external treatment( ointment).The medicine can be replaced by similar means, which include:

• "Genferon";
• Interferon;
• "Famciclovir Thera";
• "Valaciclovir";
• "Viferon";
• "Cycloferon".

Important! Patients who can not use the oral form of medication( for example, with a strong emetic reflex), antiviral agents are prescribed in the form of rectal suppositories.

For local treatment of blisters and rashes, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate, a solution of brilliant green or other drugs that the doctor will recommend.

If the pathology is accompanied by severe pain syndrome, the doctor may prescribe the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. For elderly people, such therapy is prescribed for a period of not more than 5-7 days.

Drugs that can be used to eliminate pain and relieve inflammation:

• Ibuprofen;
• "Ibufen";
• "Naproxen";
• Paracetamol;
• "Baralgin";
• "Analgin".

Important! "Analgin" has a strong toxic effect on the body, so patients older than 55 years should take it under strict medical supervision and in accordance with the prescribed dosing regimen.

Some patients can prescribe ointments with glucocorticosteroid hormones or antibiotics. Use drugs of this group should be very carefully and for a short period of time. If any negative effects occur, you must immediately notify the attending physician.

A mandatory item in the treatment of herpes zoster is vitamin therapy. The patient is selected a complex of vitamins. And also recommendations are given on the composition and enrichment of the diet. You can take ready multivitamin or vitamin-mineral complexes, for example, " Alphabet ".

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Visiting the physiotherapy room gives a pronounced curative effect, especially with the development of postherpetic neuralgia. Depending on the available indications and complications, the patient can be assigned:

• plasmapheresis( blood purification);
• acupuncture.

Acupuncture and plasmapheresis are modern methods of treating skin pathologies of various genesis that give good therapeutic results at any age.

Folk methods

Saber

Cut a few leaves of the sabernik with a knife or blender to the state of gruel. From the received raw materials to make a compress on the affected site. Keep at least 10-15 minutes. Compresses need to be done every day until the symptoms are completely eliminated.

Calendula and tavolga

These herbs have a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, and therefore are excellent for eliminating the pain syndrome in herpes zoster. For the preparation of the infusion it is necessary to take 2 tablespoons( with a slide) of flowers of the twig and calendula and pour into the enameled container. Add 0.5 liters of vodka to the mixture, mix and remove in the dark.

The obtained infusion should be used for external and internal treatment according to the following scheme:

• a piece of dense tissue moisten in infusion and apply to a sore spot for 15 minutes( repeat the procedure 3 times a day);
• 1 spoon mixed with 100 ml of boiled water and drink while eating( 3 times a day).

The course of treatment under this scheme is 14 days.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin middle peel and peel through a meat grinder. Apply a thick layer of cotton paste to a cotton or gauze cloth and apply to a sore spot for 30 minutes. The procedure is best performed before bedtime.

The same curative effect is possessed by natural pumpkin oil of cold pressing( "Tykveol").It is used for external treatment of rashes for 10 days( maybe longer).

Clay and honey

An excellent remedy for relieving the pain syndrome with severe pain is blue clay. One bag of clay( 100 g) must be mixed with a spoonful of honey and a small spoonful of rye flour. Add the boiling water to the mixture to obtain a consistency of the dough for making flat cakes.

From the mass to form flat cakes and attach them to a sore spot. Keep it for as long as possible( at least 20 minutes).You can bandage the affected area or glue the flat cakes with a plaster. You can use the tool every time you have severe pain.

Ash

Ash mixed with water helps to soothe irritated skin, get rid of itching and unpleasant sensations. It is best to use ashes from birch logs. To improve the well-being, 3-5 procedures are enough. Kashitsa should be lubricated sick areas( keep the composition 10-30 minutes).

Burdock

Compresses with decoction of burdock - another effective treatment for depriving elderly people at home. To prepare a decoction of 2 tablespoons of fresh mug, pour a glass of boiling water. Insist 30-40 minutes, strain, then moisten the thin tissue with a decoction and attach to the diseased area.

Compresses should be put every day in the evening for 10-15 days.

Mustard

Mustard is in almost every home, so this method of treatment depriving not only is effective, but also available. Before applying the mustard on the skin, it is necessary to treat the affected area with butter. Top with a small amount of seasoning and tie with a cloth or bandages. Hold 1-1.5 hours. After removing the bandage, rinse skin with warm water and mild soap.

The course of treatment is from 3 to 7 days.

Important! For this recipe, only natural mustard is used without flavoring additives, horseradish and other ingredients.

Video - How to treat shingles with folk remedies

Rapid treatment of shingles

Some experts suggest using the following scheme to quickly get rid of the disease in elderly and elderly people:

• rub the skin with a tincture of walnuts( unripe) 3 times a day;
• lubrication of affected areas with a mixture of propolis, wax and cedar tar( 2-3 times a day);
• ingestion on a half tablet of acetylsalicylic acid.

Visible improvements in patients with this method of treatment come on the third or fourth day. Complete recovery, provided that they are combined with antiviral therapy, can be achieved 7 days after the start of treatment.

Sanitary and hygienic requirements

Shingles are dangerous for the rest of the family, so if the patient undergoes outpatient treatment, it is important to follow the rules and standards of hygiene and sanitation of the room in which the patient spends most of the time.

1. The patient should be in an isolated room, where healthy family members who are not sick with chickenpox should not be allowed.
2. Patient's room should be ventilated 5-6 times a day( for 10-15 minutes).
3. Wet cleaning with disinfectant solutions should be carried out 2 times a day. It is better to avoid means based on chlorine, as an elderly person may have a strong allergic reaction.
4. Skin treatment should be performed only in disposable sterile gloves, which must be changed every time.
5. Lingerie( bedding and clothes), clothes, towels and other personal belongings of the patient should be washed away from the things of the rest of the family. After washing, they should be thoroughly ironed on both sides.
6. For the period of illness it is better to use disposable linings on the toilet bowl( paper).
7. Wearing narrow clothing that squeezes blood vessels and interferes with blood flow during illness is not allowed.

Compliance with these measures will help to protect healthy households from infection.

When should I go to the hospital?

Home treatment is possible only after consultation with a treating dermatologist or infectious disease specialist. In the case of worsening of health and the appearance of signs of complication of the infection, the patient needs to call for an ambulance or to come to the hospital on his own, if the state of health allows. Hospitalization of the patient is performed with the following symptoms( against the background of outpatient treatment):

• severe migraine;
• vomiting;
• pain and sensation of congestion in the ears;
• convulsions;
• vision impairment;
• muscle weakness.

All these signs indicate possible complications, so the patient should undergo a survey to identify the cause that caused the deterioration, and the appointment of treatment activities.

Tinea is a serious pathology, which is especially severe in the elderly. To prevent serious complications, it is important to immediately go to the hospital. Strict adherence to the recommendations and prescriptions of the attending physician is the key to effective and safe treatment of patients older than 50 years.