The varicella-zoster virus is what causes shingles, also known as herpes zoster. Although it typically affects the skin, shingles can also damage the mouth. Continue reading to discover more about oral shingles and possible treatments.
The shingles virus is a contagious virus that causes an uncomfortable rash. On your body, shingles can appear everywhere. The typical appearance is a single band of blisters encircling your torso's left or right side. The varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, is what causes shingles. Your body will always harbour the virus that causes chickenpox. The virus may resurface years later as shingles.
Shingles aren't fatal. But the agony might be severe. Vaccines can lower the risk of developing shingles. Early intervention may minimize the duration of shingles and reduce the likelihood of complications. The most frequent complication is postherpetic neuralgia. This painful ailment continues to hurt long after your blisters have healed.
Shingles: What is it?
The virus that causes chickenpox, often known as varicella, is the varicella-zoster virus. Kids are the biggest victims of chicken pox. The virus, however, can remain in your neural system for many years after infection without producing any symptoms.
Shingles might develop if the virus reactivates later in life. This frequently occurs in older persons or people whose immune systems have been compromised by illness, pharmaceutical side effects, or excessive stress levels.
Causes
People who have experienced chicken pox are the only ones who get shingles. The immune system can eliminate the virus from all, but a few isolated nerve groups called ganglia when a person has chicken pox. If the immune system is healthy, it can retain the virus in a dormant state for long periods of time. When people have shingles, their immune system is compromised, allowing the shingles virus to reactivate and spread illness. Reactivation can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
· Aging (marked by the steady decrease in immunological function)
· A recent or ongoing sickness
· Psychological strain
· Immune-suppressing medications
· Weakened immunity (such as occur with cancer or advanced HIV)
Still, shingles can affect people younger than 50, and it's frequently unpredictable why some people get it while others don't. This is particularly accurate in the case of oral shingles. However, it is unknown why some studies claim that men are 70% more prone to develop oral shingles than women.
How does shingles affect the body?
Early shingles symptoms include:
· Increased lymph nodes
· Headache, chills, and fever
· Itching
· Redness and raised spots on your skin
· Shooting or stabbing pain
· Skin tingling or burning in those sites
· Stomach ache
· Fatigue
Immediately call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. It is impossible to treat shingles. However, treatment can reduce the likelihood of complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia, a type of pain that persists after the rash has disappeared.
What signs are there of oral shingles?
· Oral shingles symptoms frequently include:
· A tongue-tingling or burning sensation
· Tenderness on the face
· Blisters or rashes on the face or mouth or pain in the teeth (including the tongue)
Depending on the stage of the infection, the symptoms can change. The phases of shingles consist of the following:
Prodromal phase:
This stage, also known as the pre-eruptive stage, lasts for around 48 hours before observable lesions appear. It could result in headaches, weariness, and tooth pain.
Acute eruptive phase:
In this stage, uncomfortable sores might develop on the skin or in the mouth. Acute eruptions might last between two and four weeks.
Postherpetic neuralgia phase:
Pain that lasts for at least four weeks is present at this stage. Unusual skin sensations like tingling, burning, or prickling may be present. Not all shingles patients go through this phase.
When should you see a doctor?
See a doctor if you get any oral pain or lesions. Seeing a doctor is also advised if you have mouth lesions and:
· Fever
· Unjustified drowsiness
· Painful mouth or teeth
· Strange feelings like tingling, burning, or prickling oral sores that are draining or bleeding
Your doctor will perform a number of tests to determine whether they believe you have oral shingles. This might comprise:
Examination of the body. Your doctor will look for redness, blistering, and crusting on the lesions in your mouth. They'll also look for further shingles symptoms on your skin.
Medical history. Your doctor will inquire about your general health to ascertain your risk of developing shingles. They'll also ask if you've ever had chicken pox.
A swab test. Your doctor could swab the blisters in your mouth. The swab will be delivered to a lab, where experts will examine it to check for the varicella-zoster virus.
A blood test. Your blood is examined for indications of infection using a blood test. The antibodies your body produces in reaction to shingles are included in this.
How are oral shingles treated?
It is impossible to treat shingles. Treatment, however, can lessen your symptoms and reduce the duration of your infection.
Your therapy program will probably consist of:
Anti-viral drugs
Antiviral drugs are made to fight the viruses that lead to shingles. The earliest you can begin taking these medications is as soon as your symptoms appear. Antiviral treatments for shingles include Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, or famciclovir. These drugs can aid in pain relief and guard against long-term problems.
Your doctor may also recommend oral corticosteroids like prednisone in addition to antiviral drugs to treat inflammation.
Medication for pain
Shingles symptoms can be uncomfortable. Your doctor may suggest painkillers on prescription or available over-the-counter (OTC). Your doctor might also advise applying oral painkillers topically for shingles in the mouth. These drugs might be offered as liquids, gels, or creams. They are put directly to the mouth lesions.
Home-based self-care
To manage your symptoms, you can practice these self-care techniques at home:
1. Use mouthwash without alcohol. Your chance of contracting a bacterial infection may arise due to the shingles lesions. Your doctor might advise using alcohol-free mouthwash to lessen the chance of infection.
2. Choose soft foods. Compared to harder foods that require a lot of chewing, soft foods like mashed potatoes, bananas, and avocados will feel more comfortable eating. Additionally, try to eat bland, chilled foods.
3. Adopt a balanced diet. Concentrate on eating non-acidic fruits, veggies, and lean protein to help your immune system. Try to stay away from specific foods, such as:
· Foods that are highly processed, such as packaged snacks, fried foods, fast food, and pastries
· High glycaemic carbs, such as baked goods, sugary drinks, white bread, and white rice
· Alcohol, especially if you're on medicine
Conclusion
Blisters and swelling on the skin and mucosa are signs of a shingles infection. This might also involve the mouth in certain persons. Oral shingles can manifest on their own or alongside symptoms of the skin.
Your doctor will probably recommend antiviral drugs and painkillers if you have shingles. You can hasten your recovery at home by eating healthy and getting plenty of sleep. Your chance of contracting the disease can be decreased with the shingles vaccine.
It is readily available to persons 50 years of age and above and is quite successful at shingles prevention. You will see improvement in your oral symptoms as your shingles infection heals. The blisters typically start to scab after 7 to 10 days. The infection clears up in 3 to 5 weeks, but the pain may linger for weeks or even months. Follow your doctor's recommended course of therapy properly to increase your chances of a quick recovery. Additionally, it's critical to look after oneself at home.
Dr Amna Bilal
The author is a contributing writer at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at amna0795@yahoo.com
