Herpes zoster is an acute infectious skin disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. The symptoms are "blisters" on different parts of the body and severe pain. It is best not to bathe, as it is not worth it if it leads to skin infections!

It is recommended not to take a bath during a shingles attack, especially in the area of long blisters, but the folk saying that bathing will "activate" the snake is nonsense.

Herpes zoster is an acute inflammatory skin disease caused by varicella zoster virus. According to ancient medical books, there are "snake string sores", "fire with sores", "wrapped around the waist fire Dan" and other names of.

The main clinical manifestation of herpes zoster is a rash distributed in unilateral ganglionic segments, consisting of clusters of blisters with pain; these blisters can be large or small, and it is distributed in clusters.First of all, if you take a shower at this time there is a risk of breaking the blisters, because shingles itself is caused by a virus, and if you break the blisters there is a risk of complicating a bacterial infection of the skin, and that could aggravate the condition and delay the healing.

Secondly, shingles is mostly caused by the patient's low immune function. If the patient accidentally catches a cold while bathing, it will cause a cold, which is also caused by viruses or bacteria, making the patient's immune function even lower, which is also detrimental to the condition.

I'm Dr. Mengxue Chen from the Department of Dermatology. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment under the article, and I will reply to all of them.

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Can you take a shower with shingles?

Shingles can be bathed.

Herpes zoster is caused by varicella-zoster virus infection, mainly manifested as herpes zoster and neuralgia. Herpes zoster lesions are initially erythematous, and may gradually evolve into blisters with a zonal distribution; the blister fluid is first clarified, then cloudy, gradually absorbed, dry and crusty, with hyperpigmentation, or even forming a scar. Neuralgia occurs for an indeterminate period of time, can be mild or severe, most people can be relieved quickly, but the elderly, weak immunity can last for months or years.

The principles of herpes zoster treatment are antiviral, pain relief, nerve protection and prevention of infection. Commonly used antiviral drugs include acyclovir and vasiclovir; for patients with neuralgia, analgesics such as indomethacin can be used as appropriate; vitamin E can be used to protect the nerves; immunoglobulin and interferon can be used to regulate the immune function of those with weakened immune function. Herpes zoster patients clinical care should pay attention to the following matters:

1. Because shingles is contagious, it is best for patients to live alone in a room during treatment.

2. Closely observe the patient's condition to prevent complications such as viral pneumonia and viral encephalitis.

3. Advise patients to eat high protein, high vitamin, easy to digest food, avoid spicy stimulating food and seafood.

4. People with shingles can bathe to keep their skin clean, but try to avoid contact with water if the blisters break out and apply antibiotic ointment to avoid infection.

This content was reviewed by Dr. Sun Xin, Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Beijing You'an Hospital, Capital Medical University.

Click here for details of the doctor's answer

You can take a shower, but you can't use water on the blisters, and you can't use toiletries, which can rupture the blisters and cause secondary infections. If you want to take a shower, you need to protect the blisters to avoid aggravation.

There is also a diet to pay special attention to, can not eat stimulating food, you can eat some fresh vegetables and fruits and so on, rest early at night, do not stay up late.

It is possible to take a shower if the area of shingles, is well protected!

However, the following points need to be noted

1、No towel or anything else to rub the affected area when bathing, to avoid skin damage that can aggravate the infection and create a secondary infection that can be troublesome;

2. Don't use alkaline soap when bathing.That will cause more damage to the skin, use a mild body wash, remember it must be "mild", there are many body washes on the market contain a lot of additives and chemicals, must avoid using harsh body washes, it is recommended that you can consider theUsing baby's body wash is gentler and safer and has the right pH level;

3, when bathing, do not scrub the body parts of herpes, water can be rinsed, which ensures cleanliness and does not break herpes;

4, after the bath, as far as possible to keep the skin dry and fresh, in accordance with the instructions of the doctor to apply the appropriate medication, do not be in a hurry to apply a very thick, will cover the affected area, not conducive to the recovery and drug absorption