When you know that the risk factors and the complications are with shingles, you and your senior can be more prepared for all that might happen with an outbreak.
Age Is a Factor
As frustrating as it might be for your senior to hear, simply growing older can put her at a far greater risk of developing shingles. If your elderly family member had chickenpox as a child, that virus is still dormant in her body now. All it needs is to reactivate and it becomes shingles.
Certain Health Issues and Medications Are a Risk
Health issues and the medications to treat those health problems are another factor in developing shingles. This is because your senior’s immune system is normally able to keep the lid on shingles. When her immune system becomes taxed, though, it’s not able to handle all of the demands and shingles can become a huge problem. If your elderly family member wants to know her specific risk factors in terms of health, she needs to talk to her doctor.
Pain Can Linger for Months
One of the more annoying complications of shingles is that the pain from one outbreak can last for months after the rash has healed and disappeared. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. Your senior may notice that she’s sensitive to touch where the rash was and she may still be experiencing itching, tingling, and numbness, much like she experienced when the rash was present.
Skin Infections Are a Problem
Shingles causes a blistery rash. The blisters eventually dry out and scab over, which is itchy and uncomfortable, to say the least. It’s unfortunately incredibly easy for these small wounds to become infected, especially if your senior can’t stop scratching. Dealing with that infection as soon as possible is vital.
Your Senior’s Vision May Be at Risk
Potential vision loss is a shocking complication of shingles for many people. Ophthalmic shingles is a form of shingles that occurs near the eye itself. The swelling and the potential for eye infections can create a situation resulting in loss of vision. If your senior has shingles around her eye or on her face, make sure to contact her doctor right away.
Stress is a major contributing factor in developing shingles. Your elderly family member may find that having elder care providers helping her with a variety of different tasks helps her to feel more in control and therefore less stressed. That can be a key component in helping her to battle shingles more effectively.
Excerpt: Shingles is bad enough, but there can be complications. It’s also important that you understand what puts your senior at greater risk of developing shingles.
If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Lockwood, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
