Shingles and Aging – Those Rashes That Itch

Shingles and aging have a connection, as you are three times as likely to get shingles after the age of 80 as you are before the age of 50. You are likely to have shingles if you had chicken pox, and shingles is caused by reactivation of the dormant chicken pox virus in your system.

Also known as herpes zoster, shingles in the elderly shows initial symptoms such as tingling, itching and severe pain. There may or may not be rashes. As the disease progresses, more symptoms such as burning and painful rashes usually in the chest, arms, leg or face appear. There can also be presence of low grade fever and weakness.

Shingles and aging is a problem with both men and women. People who are down with diseases that affect the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV, AIDS, cancer etc. are more likely to have shingles. The symptoms usually last for two to three weeks, though in some cases, the chronic pain can persist even after the disappearance of rashes.

Problems of shingles and aging are generally treated with antibiotics. However, the risk of shingles among the elderly can considerably be brought down with improvement in personal hygiene, good dieting, regular exercises and taking anti-aging and anti-oxidant supplements. The key is that these measures stabilize the cell, give it more strength to quickly repair itself, and strengthen the immune response that increases the body’s general resistance to diseases. Shingles vaccination programs are also available.