Conservative measures for managing shingles
Published advice on conservative measures for managing shingles
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the National Health Service (NHS) websites include advice on conservative measures for managing shingles, which healthcare professionals can share with patients when exploring treatment options1,2
- Avoid contact with people who have not had chickenpox, particularly pregnant women, immunocompromised people, and babies younger than 1 month of age
- Avoid sharing clothes and towels
- Wash hands often
- Wear loose-fitting clothes to reduce irritation
- Cover lesions that are not under clothes while the rash is still weeping
- Avoid use of topical creams and adhesive dressings, as they can cause irritation and delay rash healing
- Keep the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of bacterial superinfection. Seek medical advice if there is an increase in temperature, as this may indicate bacterial infection
- Avoid work, school or day care if the rash is weeping and cannot be covered. If the lesions have dried or the rash is covered, avoidance of these activities is not necessary
- Use a cool compress (a bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel or a wet cloth) a few times a day2
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Clinical knowledge summary: Shingles. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/shingles/ (accessed February 2024).
- NHS. Shingles. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/ (accessed February 2024).
Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. Adverse events should also be reported to GlaxoSmithKline on 0800 221 441.
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July 2024 | NP-GB-HZU-WCNT-240019 (V1.0)