Shingles Treatment And Children

Shingles is a virus and is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus (VZV); it can cause a sufferer pain and lead to a rash which can be irritable and itchy. The shingles virus is brought about as a result of chickenpox as both are caused by VZV. Most people will suffer from the chickenpox virus as children and after a bout of the virus antibodies are formed to ensure that the body has immunity from catching chickenpox again; however, VZV will remain dormant in the nerve system. It is a reactivation of VZV which causes shingles, people over the age of 50 are the most commonly affected although it is possible for younger adults and children to develop shingles.

There are different methods of shingles treatment and children will be provided with different treatment to adults. Shingles in children is uncommon and those that do develop the virus generally suffer from mild symptoms.

How do children catch shingles?

The methods of combining shingles treatment and children will not be as intense as the treatment given to adults; however, shingles can still be a traumatic experience for a child. Although it is possible for children to develop the virus it is rare, especially in children under 10.

Children that have had a bout of chickenpox before 12 months are at a higher risk of getting shingles as a child. Mothers that have suffered from chickenpox in the later stages of pregnancy will also place their child at risk of developing shingles at a young age.

Shingles symptoms in children

Knowing the symptoms of shingles can help a parent seek the correct treatment quicker for their child, however, early signs of the virus are often less noticeable in children than they are in adults.

The early burning sensation and pain in one area of the body that is common in adults will rarely be found in children and most do not suffer from any pain prior to a rash appearing. The shingles rash will present itself in small red spot which turn to blisters after a number of days, these blisters will then dry out and scab over, much like chickenpox.

Shingles treatment and children- Methods

In adults, painkilling medication is often the most common form of shingles treatment and children can also be prescribed a form of painkiller in the form of paracetamol and ibuprofen liquid medicine. Although pain in rare with shingles in children, paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with any feeling of being generally unwell and keep temperatures down.

Wet dressings and non-adhesive coverings can help to sooth rashes and loose clothing can provide comfort. GP’s also recommend keeping rashes clean and dry and cutting a child’s nails to ensure no damage is done by scratching.

For anyone that has not suffered from chickenpox, it is possible to catch the virus from a shingles sufferer, however this is rare is the rash is covered and you should only keep a child off school if they are unwell or a rash is weeping.