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Abstract: The patient suddenly felt a little itchy with tingling in the left posterior lumbar region 1 week ago, like stabbing with a small needle. The patient was diagnosed with herpes zoster after examination and description of the patient’s condition. The patient was given antiviral, analgesic and nerve-nourishing medication, and the herpes gradually subsided and crusted over, and the pain disappeared.
Basic information】Male, 32 years old
Disease Type】Herpes zoster
Hospital】Shenyang Hospital of Integrative Medicine
Date of consultation】August 2021
Treatment plan】Anti-viral drugs (acyclovir cream) + pain relief drugs (gabapentin capsules) + nerve-nourishing drugs (methylcobalamin capsules, vitamin B1 tablets)
Treatment period】6 weeks of home medication
Effectiveness of treatment】Herpes gradually subsided, crusted, and pain disappeared
I. Initial consultation
The patient, Mr. Lin, reported that 1 week ago, he suddenly felt an itch on the left side of his lower back and a sparse stinging pain, as if he was stabbed with a small needle, and he felt a few small bumps with his hands. After that, the bumps became more and more, the area became bigger and bigger, and the itching and pain were more obvious than before, so I bought my own mosquito bite medicine and applied it to no avail. The patient was diagnosed with herpes zoster after examination and description of her condition.
II. Treatment history
The patient was prescribed acyclovir cream, gabapentin capsules and mecobalamin capsules for 2 weeks. Acyclovir cream was used for antiviral treatment, gabapentin capsules to relieve the pain of herpes zoster, and mecobalamin capsules to repair the nerves. The patient was seen 2 weeks later and the herpes had subsided, crusted over, and the pain was significantly relieved, with occasional bouts of pain. Acyclovir cream and gabapentin capsules were prescribed for another 10-day dose, and mecobalamin capsules and vitamin B1 tablets were continued for 1 month.
III. Treatment effect
At the patient’s follow-up visit 2 weeks later, the herpes had subsided and crusted over, with occasional bouts of pain lasting 30-60 seconds, but she was able to sleep normally at night. The scabbed area was very itchy at first, itching like an ant gnawing, but it had been much relieved by the treatment. The patient was instructed to continue the medication. The patient continued the medication for 1 month and was rechecked, indicating that the pain had completely disappeared.
IV. Notes
I am glad that after active treatment, the patient’s herpes zoster has been greatly relieved. Do not rinse with hot water before the herpes is completely cured to avoid aggravating the condition, while maintaining a healthy routine and proper exercise to enhance physical fitness, also conducive to improving the body’s immunity, when the body’s resistance is low is also the time for viral invasion. Avoid spicy and irritating foods in your diet, and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Also pay attention not to let the herpes break, if the tissue fluid flows out, passing through the place may add new herpes, and herpes is contagious, household items, towels and family members are used separately.
V. Personal insight
In this article, patients are treated in a timely manner, so the treatment period is relatively short and less serious. If you usually suddenly find a rash on your body and feel itchy and painful, you must seek medical attention, treat it early and use medication early to avoid being tortured by shingles. The pain of shingles belongs to neuralgia, which is relatively serious, and if not treated in time may also lead to posterior neuralgia, which seriously affects daily work and life.