What to Know About Seniors and Shingles
Did you or your senior loved one have chicken pox as a child? If so, you could end up contracting shingles as an adult.
The viral infection is caused when the varicella-zoster virus is reactivated in adults due to age, stress, or illness. When this happens, specific nerves in the body become inflamed, leading to a painful, blistering rash.
Shingles are Much Worse for Seniors
The shingles (or herpes zoster) virus often hits older adults much harder because their immune systems are already weakened. Nearly half of shingles cases occur in individuals who are 60 and older.
Symptoms of Shingles
According to an article on Healthline, typical symptoms of shingles include:
- Fluid-filled blisters
- An itchy rash that forms on one side of the body
- Fever
- Nausea
- A burning sensation or sharp pains
- Upset stomach
- Headache
The Infection Can Cause Complications
Unfortunately, shingles can result in life threatening medical issues for seniors. The article mentioned above, describes one of the most severe complications, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), which causes chronic nerve pain even after the rash and blisters go away. PHN is most common in the elderly, with every second person over the age of 85 contracting the complication.
Other long term issues caused by shingles are:
- Vision loss
- Inflammation in the liver, brain, lungs, and spinal cord.
- Infection and scars in the area where the rash is located.
- An increased risk of dementia
- A higher chance of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke.
- Although it’s rare, death from shingles as an underlying cause.
Shingles Care at Home
The American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes the importance of taking good care of yourself during a shingles outbreak. Here are a few of their tips for caring for the virus at home.
- Be sure to see your doctor immediately if you discover you have shingles.
- The typical timeline of the rash is between 2-4 weeks. During this time, you’ll want to wash the area daily, apply petroleum jelly, and cover the rash with a new, sterile bandage.
- Treat uncomfortable skin with a cool, damp washcloth or oatmeal bath.
- After blisters have scabbed over, use calamine lotion.
- Take care of your overall health and well being by getting enough rest, wearing loose fitting clothing, and eating nutritious meals.
Professional assistance, such as in-home care from an agency like Visiting Angels, can be helpful for older people who are experiencing the painful effects of shingles.
There’s a Shingles Vaccine
The CDC recommends adults over the age of 50 receive two doses of the shingles vaccine. Called Shingrix, the vaccine has been shown to be 97 percent effective in preventing shingles in adults between 50 to 69 years old. The efficacy goes down slightly with age. Additionally, the shot is around 90 percent effective in preventing PHN in adults in those age ranges.
Visiting Angels Loveland Can Help
If you or your elderly family member could use assistance while recovering from the shingles virus, consider in-home care with Visiting Angels Loveland.
Our professional caregivers can help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of the virus. They will gladly assist with bathing, hygiene routines, dressing, medication reminders, transportation to follow up doctor’s appointments, and more.
To learn more about our flexible in-home care options, please fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 970-292-5668.