From the Research
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Treatment
- The provided studies do not directly address the use of alcohol to clean herpes zoster (shingles) vesicles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The management of acute shingles is focused on symptom control, including the use of antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, and the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia with topical lidocaine or capsaicin and oral gabapentin, pregabalin, or tricyclic antidepressants 3, 4.
- The diagnosis of shingles is usually made by history and physical examination, and the treatment is directed toward reduction of fever and avoiding secondary bacterial skin infection in immunocompetent hosts 1.
- There is no mention of using alcohol as a treatment or cleaning agent for shingles vesicles in the provided studies.
Prevention and Complications
- Herpes zoster vaccination is essential for the prevention of HZ and its consequences, especially in individuals aged 50 years and older 2, 3.
- Complications of HZ may be neurological, ophthalmological, dermatological, or visceral, and can be severe in immunocompromised patients 1, 2, 3.
- Postherpetic neuralgia is the most common complication, occurring in about one in five patients, and is defined as pain in a dermatomal distribution sustained for at least 90 days after acute herpes zoster 3.