Cobreiro is a skin disease scientifically called herpes zoster, which occurs in people who have had chicken pox at some point in their lives and who are experiencing stressful situations or who have a weakened immune system, such as during a flu infection. or cold, for example.
The appearance of this disease is more common in places like the chest and back, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the genital region and limbs.
Main symptoms
The main symptom of shingles is the appearance of several small blisters on a small area of the skin, however, before this symptom, other signs such as:
- Tingling or pain in the skin; Redness and swelling of the skin; Feeling sick.
The bubbles usually appear after 3 days and, when burst, release a clear liquid. These bubbles last, on average, 10 days, but in some cases they can last up to 21 days.
Meet 7 other diseases that can cause red spots on the skin.
What causes shingles
After the chicken pox crisis, which usually appears in childhood, the disease virus sleeps inside the body, close to a nerve, but in some people it can be activated again, especially when the immune system is weakened. In such cases, a shingle is developed instead of chicken pox, since most people cannot have chicken pox more than once in their lives.
In chickenpox, the bubbles spread throughout the body, while in the shingle they are restricted to one part of the body because the virus chose to stay and fall asleep on a single nerve in the body, and so the symptoms are restricted to the place enervated by that specific nerve, scientifically called a dermatome. Better understand what dermatomes are.
Although it is more rare, shingles can appear in children or babies, when they have had a case of chicken pox, but it was mild or with few symptoms, for example. It is also rare for shingles to spread to more than one part of the body, occurring in cases with AIDS people or who have undergone chemotherapy, for example.
How to get
It is not possible to catch shingles, since it is necessary to have had chicken pox previously. However, if you have never had chicken pox, the virus can be transmitted from someone infected and, in these cases, after having the chicken pox crisis, it is possible to have shingles.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for shingles is done with an anti-viral for about 5 to 10 days. Therefore, a dermatologist or general practitioner should be consulted to start treatment with medicines such as Aciclovir (Zovirax), Fanciclovir (Penvir) or Valacyclovir (Valtrex).
In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, or corticoid creams, such as Betamethasone or Fludroxycortide, can also be prescribed to help relieve pain and skin irritation.
Home treatment
During treatment, it is still possible to use some home remedies to speed recovery, although they do not replace the treatment indicated by the doctor. Some options are burdock or blackberry leaf tea. To prepare these teas follow the instructions below.
Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of chopped mulberry or burdock leaves.
Method of preparation:
Add the ingredients in a pan and boil for 3 to 5 minutes and then cover and let it warm. When it is warm you should strain and apply directly to the wound, with the help of a gauze, 1 or 2 times a day, always using a new gauze for each application.
Here's how to prepare other home remedies that also help your skin heal faster.
