Shingles can be uncomfortable and even scary at times. The itching, tingling, or burning that accompanies a shingles infection is nothing compared to what happens when the disease strikes again.

Also known as herpes zoster, shingles is a condition resulting from a virus that causes chickenpox known as varicella-zoster. Even after chickenpox recovery, the virus stays in your body for years, and it may cause shingles later in life.

Shingles usually appears like a painful red skin rash on one side of your body, especially on the neck, face, or torso. Fortunately, most people recover from shingles completely within a few weeks. For some people, it can be weeks or months before they feel better.

Shingles can occur multiple times in the same person, especially if they are exposed to the risk factors, although that is not common. It isn't clear why shingles affects some individuals and not others. However, it is most likely to affect older people because they do not have a strong immune system to fight infections.

Shingles is treated using oral antiviral medicines, such as famciclovir, valacyclovir, and acyclovir. The treatment is effective if you take it as soon as the rash appears. For pain, anti-inflammatory medications, narcotic medications, and numbing creams can help. For prolonged pain, you can use tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants as prescribed by your doctor.

Since shingles may cause nerve pain after recovery, capsaicin can be helpful. You can also relieve itching by taking warm baths, using wet and cold compresses, and applying calamine lotion on the affected areas.

Since shingles has no cure, you can prevent it through a two-dose vaccination for chickenpox. Children between 12 and 15 months old should get their first dose of the chickenpox vaccine. The second dose should be administered between ages four and six. With full vaccination, there is a 90% chance of preventing chickenpox.

Adults aged 50 and above who have suffered from chickenpox previously can get the herpes zoster vaccine to prevent shingles. However, professionals recommend vaccines to anyone, even if they have not had shingles or chickenpox.

The available vaccine options are Zostavax and Shingrix. Shingrix is administered in two doses on the upper arm. The second dose should be between two to six months after the first dose. People with weak immune systems, pregnant women, or those who are allergic to the components of the shingles vaccine are not allowed to get the vaccine.

Vaccination may not prevent the occurrence of shingles. It reduces the risks of getting it, and if a person happens to get it, they experience mild symptoms.

Shingles should not be taken lightly, so if you suspect symptoms, see your doctor immediately and start the treatment.