Dermatology Specialist Dr. Deniz Çetinkünar stated that shingles is now also seen in young people and said, “We observe that shingles, which is mostly seen in patients over the age of 50, who receive oncological treatment, is also seen in young people. This may be due to the stress and anxiety experienced by young people.”
There has been a recent increase in the skin disease known as 'shingles zoster' and briefly defined as 'shingles'. The disease, which is usually associated with the elderly, has now started to affect young people. Stating that the incidence is increasing in young people, Dr. Çetinkünar pointed out that the high level of stress and anxiety experienced by young people today suppresses the immune system and causes the virus to revive.
“It can even be confused with a heart attack”
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Deniz Çetinkünar from Acıbadem Adana Hospital spoke to İhlas News Agency. Dr. Çetinkünar pointed out that shingles is seen after 'chickenpox' and said, “Shingles is a disease that manifests itself with blister formation, skin rashes and pain similar to chickenpox. The cause is a virus called Varicella Zoster (VZV). It is most common on the face, back, abdomen, chest and pelvis. In people who have had chickenpox or who have been vaccinated, the virus goes to sleep in the body. However, when your immunity drops, when you are weak, when you are tired, this dormant virus comes back to life. At first, patients feel severe pain, burning, stinging and itching. Usually this disease affects the right or left side of the body. Typical rashes appear after 1-5 days. Our diagnosis becomes easier when the rashes appear. Patients feel severe pain in the affected area. However, patients may think it is a heart attack due to the severe pain felt when there is involvement in the chest area.”
“It can lead to blindness”
Emphasizing that there is no risk of transmission of shingles, Dr. Çetinkünar said, “If there is someone who has not had chickenpox after shingles, chickenpox can be transmitted. It is very important to start treatment in the early period. If it is treated within the first 3 days of the onset of symptoms, the course of the disease is alleviated. Otherwise, the patient especially suffers from pain for a long time. Some of the shingles seen in the head area can turn into a serious condition leading to blindness in a few patients.”
“Risk groups should be vaccinated”
Pointing out that there is a vaccine against shingles, Dermatology Specialist Dr. Deniz Çetinkünar said, “We have now started to use the vaccine. We recommend the vaccine especially in the risk group. We want them to get the shingles vaccine because the risk of shingles increases in patients over the age of 50, undergoing oncological treatment and those with a weak immune system.”
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