Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash on the skin. One out of three people in the U.S. will develop shingles in their lifetime, and the risk grows with age. For many, the pain associated with shingles can be debilitating and long-lasting, causing people to miss important life events. Fortunately, our PRP therapy Los Angeles experts have several treatment options available that can help alleviate shingles pain.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This same virus causes chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your body and can reactivate later in life, developing into shingles. Although not typically life-threatening, a painful, burning, tingling rash develops along one side of the body (or face).
Other Symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Upset stomach
Antiviral Medications
Antiviral medication is a common treatment option for combating shingles. These medications stop the virus from replicating. This shortens the duration of the infection and reduces the severity of symptoms. Our Los Angeles pain management team stresses that antiviral drugs are most effective when taken within 72 hours after the rash first appears.
Common Antiviral Drugs Prescribed for Shingles:
- Acyclovir
- Valacyclovir
- Famciclovir
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments—creams, gels, patches—contain numbing agents and are applied directly to the skin to relieve pain and itching from shingles. Lidocaine and capsaicin are two common ingredients found in topical medications.
Lidocaine
Lidocaine is a numbing agent that works by blocking pain signals from the skin’s nerve endings.
Capsaicin
[Capsaicin](https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/capsaicin-topical-route/description/drg-20062561#:~:text=Descriptions,or muscle sprains and strains.) is a compound derived from chili peppers that works by desensitizing the skin’s nerve endings.
PRP Therapy
Another treatment option used for shingles pain is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Platelets and plasma each play a key role in cellular regeneration. Through this process, a sample of the patient’s blood is drawn. After isolating the blood’s platelets and plasma, our PRP therapy Los Angeles experts will inject this concentrated dose of healing components into specific pain sites. PRP injections can help relieve shingles pain and inflammation and promote a quicker recovery.
Consider PRP Therapy Los Angeles for Shingles Pain
After an official shingles diagnosis, immediately discuss pain management options with a healthcare provider to determine the best course of action. Those suffering from shingles often feel isolated and hopeless, but our PRP therapy Los Angeles team is here to help guide patients to a successful recovery. To learn more about our regenerative pain management approach, please visit our website.