Why You Should be Concerned with Shingles on Face Parts

Most people know that a typical attack of shingles is accompanied by rashes or blisters. Rashes or shingles on face parts however need special and immediate attention. Shingles on face areas could lead to terrible complications.

Shingles Symptoms

Before looking into the particular concerns of shingles on face parts, you should be especially aware of all shingles symptoms. Pain is usually the first sign of shingles even before shingles on face areas appear or rashes on other body parts. People who are about to develop shingles blisters will feel prickly, burning pain on some areas of the body. The skin may also feel itchy. Sometime after the sensation of pain is felt, rashes that develop into blisters will appear. Shingles can also cause flu like sensations such as headache, chills, fever, stomach upset and fatigue.

Nerves and Rashes

The virus that causes chicken pox and shingles usually stays hidden and dormant in one of the nerves of the body. When the virus is reactivated, it will begin to multiply and cause the nerve to inflame. The pain that is felt and the rashes that appear usually correspond only to the area where the nerve runs. Since body nerves only run in a specific path in one part of half of the body, then the rashes will usually appear only as a clustered band in half of the affected part of the body. Rashes usually appear on the torso but the arms and legs can get rashes too. One major concern however is if there are shingles on face parts.

Shingles on Face Parts

Shingles on face areas may appear on the forehead, eyes, top of the nose or on the neck. If this happens, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Shingles on the eyes can cause the eyelids to swell, redden and become painful. The major complication of shingles on the eyes is corneal scarring which may lead to vision impairment or even blindness. Other than the eyes, hearing could also become impaired, taste can be affected and facial muscles could become partially paralyzed.

Immediate Treatment

It is possible that complications resulting from shingles on face parts can be prevented by early and immediate treatment. Just as with any other part of the body, the virus is most vulnerable during the first three days that shingles symptoms appear. The doctor would naturally prescribe anti viral medication. In very severe shingles on face cases, the doctor may also additionally prescribe corticosteroids. This additional medication can further assist anti viral medication in speeding up healing and reducing pain.
In some cases, corticosteroids could lead to some side effects. Some rashes appear worse with corticosteroids. Patients may also experience headaches and stomach pains. Aside from these physical sensations, the use of corticosteroids could also result in emotional disturbances and insomnia.

Prevention

Not every person who has shingles will also have shingles on face areas. To be on the safe side though, it would be better to attempt to prevent shingles. Shingles can be prevented by finding out if you have been vaccinated against chicken pox. Adults over 60 can now also opt to get immunized against shingles.