Pink zoster - the unknown nature of the disease - Treatment

Treatment

Pink deprive usually get sick at the age of 10-35 years old, sometimes older; in people over 60 years, he is extremely rare. Big single spot on the skin, usually appear for 1-20 days prior to the formation of extensive scars on the body. The diameter of the first spot - 2-10 cm, it has a pinkish or reddish in color, with a dry, flaky surface. It is often mistaken for ringworm Ringworm - how not to be left without hair .

Only 3% had been ill pink lichen ever get sick it again.

Even when properly conducted treatment pink shingles passes not before one and a half or two months. He can pass on their own.

It is not known why the disease occurs, but there is reason to believe that it is a virus. Pink zoster Ringworm - not only infectious disease   may have prodromal symptoms (such as fatigue, nausea, fever, joint pain Joint pain - how to understand what is going on? , Loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes). Often the disease is accompanied by itching. To remove or alleviate this symptom, you can take antihistamines; also help to steroid ointment, oatmeal baths, regular moisturizing affected areas.

Using antibiotics or sulfa drugs is not justified. When pink zoster rarely observed infectious complications, skin rashes are not accompanied by the addition of an infection, suppuration. Depending on the clinical pattern when there are signs of inflammatory changes permitted assignment of this group of drugs. Indications determined by a physician, self can cause the most adverse effects.

Features living under a pink shingles

Ultraviolet light also helps relieve the symptoms of pink lichen, but the question of the need of such treatment a dermatologist to decide.

Suffice it to hold up to five sessions of this therapy to have decreased the severity of the rash on the trunk. It is impossible to be a long period of illness in the sun, as the background of the Sun will occur excessive pigmentation of the skin, which will cause a cosmetic defect. Therapeutic benefits of sun exposure when the pink lichen is not observed.

Avoid water treatment during the height of the disease, is only permitted the use of a shower. It is proved that the use of hot water, and soap cause patients increased itching. Categorically unacceptable swim in the pool, visit the sauna, use sponges. Any rubbing the skin will lead to the pathological process that will continue to progress. To facilitate the severity of itching you can use antihistamine, anti-inflammatory drugs. Pipolfen, diphenhydramine, therapeutic doses of aspirin are assigned to those patients who have skin rashes accompanied by itching.

Immediately after water treatment, while the skin is still damp, apply to the affected areas calamine ointment. While the rash persists, wear clothes made of cotton and silk. Avoid wool and synthetic fabrics, since they are quite rude and may enhance skin irritation.

To reduce the inflammation in the skin appointed hypoallergenic diet Hypoallergenic diet - the salvation for the stomach Excluded eggs, citrus, red fruits, nuts, chocolate, tea, coffee, alcohol and other allergenic foods. Also excludes all sharp.

Because drugs are appointed by relieving itching (antihistamines such as suprastin) that increase the body's defenses (vitamins, immunomodulators). Outwardly - zinc-water mixture, corticosteroid creams. You can lubricate the skin of sea buckthorn oil.

If the process is acute and is distributed all over the body, then prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics (eg, erythromycin).

The prognosis for recovery is favorable. Relapses are possible only with a significant decrease in immunity.

Antibiotics

Erythromycin was used for the treatment of pink depriving recently. In one study involving 184 subjects with adult patients, patients pink lichen, gave 200 mg of erythromycin 4 times a day, and the dose was administered to children at the rate of 20-40 mg per kilogram of body weight, and this dose was divided into 4 parts, which gave a child during the day. Between these patients and the control group, the members of the placebo group, there was no significant difference - those and other symptoms disappeared pink lichen approximately equal intervals.

In another study, 90 patients were divided into two groups: one patient within 14 days of erythromycin, of the other - placebo. Patients undergo examination by a doctor within 6 weeks after initiation of treatment. In 33 patients (77.33%) in the first group there was a significant and rapid improvement in symptoms. Those who took the placebo had no such improvement.

Action clarithromycin has been studied with the participation of 52 patients with symptoms of pink lichen appeared less than 7 days ago. Patients had an appointment clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily for two weeks. In 50 patients by the end of the first week of rash, it decreased significantly by the end of the second week it was almost imperceptible, and four weeks later it disappeared completely. Two patients six days later, the symptoms of pink lichen appeared again.

In another study examined the effects of azithromycin; This study included 49 children. Azithromycin is of particular interest due to the fact that it causes less side effects and has a longer biological half-life period, and thus remains an effective antimicrobial agent. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; Patients from the first group were given azithromycin (12 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day, the maximum dose - 500 mg per day) for five days, the patients of the other group received a placebo. The rate of recovery of patients in both groups was the same.

Antivirals

Since, according to one theory, pityriasis rosea can be caused by human herpesvirus, for its treatment is sometimes used anti-viral agents, such as acyclovir. It was tested on a group of patients consisted of 87 people, the sick pink lichen. Within one week, some of them give acyclovir (800 mg five times a day) or placebo. 14 days after the start of treatment in patients treated with acyclovir, there was a significant reduction in the symptoms of pink lichen; among placebo this result was only 4% of patients. Those who took acyclovir, the symptoms completely disappeared, on average, in 18.5 days, and those who took a placebo - in 37.9 days.

Already on the seventh day, skin condition of patients was significantly better than those that later treatment began.

Emollients

Called emollients, creams, ointments and lotions that are designed to help the cells of the skin to retain moisture, and to eliminate an itch and other symptoms of certain skin diseases. Some emollients are used as substitutes for soap, if soap usually causes skin irritation. Emollients can buy without a prescription at most pharmacies. You can use them as often as necessary to control the symptoms of pink lichen. Apply emollients careful movements to avoid strong friction.

Local corticosteroids

If not emollients help to cope with itching, consult a doctor; He may prescribe topical corticosteroids. Corticosteroids - a synthetic analogue of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. The main objective of topical corticosteroids - reduce inflammation and ease the itch. Usually they are recommended to apply once or twice a day to those areas of the skin where there were signs of pink lichen. As for the treatment of diseases corticosteroids are used in small doses, the patient should not have any adverse effects except slight stinging when first applying the ointment. This reaction disappears pretty quickly - when the body gets used to the drug.

Antihistamines

Patients who have an itch so strong that they can not engage in daily activities and sleep, can be assigned to antihistamines. In therapy, pink zoster most often used hydroxyzine and chlorpheniramine. This first-generation antihistamines, which were originally developed for the relief of symptoms of allergic reactions - such as hay fever. However, it was found rather soon that their strong side effect is drowsiness. For those who because of the itch appeared sleep problems, this side effect can be even useful. But in the daytime it can bring certain problems. Therefore, it is recommended to take such antihistamines before bedtime. However, many people still feel sleepy even following morning. If that is the case, during treatment, avoid driving vehicles.

Phototherapy

If the symptoms of pink lichen can not cope by using the above methods of treatment, phototherapy can help you. It involves controlled exposure to UVB-rays for a few minutes, at certain time intervals. (This is not the same as that tanning in a solarium - phototherapy can only be a specialist).

Some people help and the impact normal sunlight.

Other treatments

In the treatment of pink lichen and other means are used, but their use is controversial among experts opinion. These tools include:

• Acyclovir - an antiviral drug, originally intended for the treatment of infections caused by the herpes virus.
• Erythromycin - a drug used to treat bacterial infections.

If you are offered to take these drugs, keep in mind that their effectiveness in the treatment of pink lichen is not yet proved. Also acyclovir is only useful if it begin to take in the first week after onset of symptoms.