Doctors usually diagnose shingles by examining your rashes and blisters. They also ask questions about your medical history.
In rare instances, your doctor may need to test a sample of your skin or the fluid from your blisters. This involves using a sterile swab to collect a sample of tissue or fluid. Samples are then sent to a medical laboratory to confirm the presence of the virus.
There is no cure for shingles but there are treatments for managing the symptoms.
Antiviral medications
These drugs may ease the discomfort and make the symptoms stop sooner, particularly if you start them within 72 hours of the first sign of shingles. They may also help prevent the pain that can happen months and years later, called postherpetic neuralgia. These medications include:
Acyclovir (Zovirax®).
Famciclovir (Famvir®).
Valacyclovir (Valtrex®).
Over-the-counter pain medications
These medications include the following and may be effective in relieving pain:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®).
Other medications
Antibacterial drugs may be prescribed if you develop a bacterial infection due to the shingles rash. Anti-inflammatory drugs like prednisone may be prescribed if shingles affects your eyes or other parts of your face.
