Introduction
Skin wounds are painful and cause irritation to their victims. They usually also present an avenue through which harmful microorganisms can gain access to the body and cause more damage. Therefore, they should be appropriately diagnosed and treated as soon as they occur. This paper will evaluate treatment and diagnosis of Herpes Zoster.
Properly Diagnosing Skin Wounds in Frail Elderly
Aging makes the thickness of the skin to reduce, and hence the skin becomes more susceptible to wounds (Burr, 2012). Proper diagnosis of wounds in old people is paramount since it dictates the efficiency with which the wounds would be treated. The skin should be assessed carefully so that any abnormality that appears on the skin can be detected easily and quickly (Burr, 2012). The assessment also provides a means through which the pre-existing skin conditions can be noted. This makes it easier to assess the improvement or worsening of the condition (Burr, 2012).
Any lesions noted on the skin should be identified as either secondary or primary. A primary lesion could suggest a weak immune system. On the other hand, a secondary lesion arises from a primary one (Burr, 2012). A baseline skin assessment should be done to identify the wounds that have the capacity to resolve on their own. Any uncommon lesions and those that cannot spontaneously resolve should be reported to a skin specialist (Burr, 2012). The time of onset of the lesion, where it is located in the body, and symptoms of the lesion help in the diagnosis (Burr, 2012).
In the diagnosis of skin wounds, it important to differentiate whether it is colonized or infected. Wound colonization is the presence of multiplying bacteria in the wound that do not initiate a response by the host (Hanft & Smith, 2005). In fact, colonization cannot prevent wound healing. Wound infection is when the multiplying bacteria get deeper in the wound, induces a host response, and prevents wound healing (Hanft & Smith, 2005).
Description of Herpes Zoster
It is also called shingles. It is a painful rash that occurs on one side of the body or face. It is caused by the chickenpox virus, varicella zoster virus (CDC, 2014). The virus remains inactive when one recovers from chickenpox and later becomes active to cause shingles. The disease is described by painful rashes on either side of the body, then fever, stomach upset, chills, and headache (CDC, 2014).
The virus causing shingles can be passed from one person to another through direct contact with fluids from blisters of the disease (CDC, 2014). The person, however, develops chickenpox and not shingles. A complication called post-herpetic neuralgia is common and is usually painful even after the blisters heal (CDC, 2014).
Treatment of Herpes Zoster
Treatment of shingles is through the administration of various antiviral drugs (CDC, 2014). These drugs should be taken as soon as the rashes appear. They help to reduce the severity and time of the disease. Pain relievers should be taken to reduce the pain of the rashes and their itching effects (CDC, 2014).
Factors That Might Contribute To the Development of Herpes Zoster
There are many conditions that increase one’s risk of getting herpes zoster. They include the following:
Old age- Shingles is common to the people aged about 50 years and above (Shingles, 1995).
Prior chickenpox infection- One can only get shingles if she or he had been previously infected with chicken pox (Shingles, 1995).
A weak immune system increases one's risk of getting herpes zoster (Shingles, 1995)
Cancer patients also have a higher risk of getting the disease.
Prevention of Herpes Zoster
Prevention of shingles can be achieved mainly through vaccination. CDC insists that people from 60 years should receive one dose of shingles vaccine (CDC, 2014). Building a strong immune system is also important in preventing this condition.
Conclusion
Herpes zoster is a stressing skin condition for old people. One should seek medical assistance when the condition is suspected. Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this condition should be done efficiently and on time.
References
Burr, S. (2012). Identifying common lesions and rashes in the elderly. Nursing and Residential Care, 14(5), 239–242.
CDC. (2014, May 1). About shingles (Herpes Zoster). Retrieved January 19, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/
Hanft, J., & Smith, B. (2005). How to differentiate between infected wounds and colonized wounds. Podiatry Today, 18(7), 85-90.
Shingles-what increases your risk. (1995). Retrieved January 19, 2017, from WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-what-increases-your-risk
