Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMedical SupportStress ReliefPersonal AssistanceSocial SupportFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Shingles GuideWhat to Know About Shingles
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Medical Support
Stress Relief
Personal Assistance
Social Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Shingles Guide
The type and amount ofsupportive carea loved one withshingleswill need can vary from one person to another.
Depending on the severity ofsymptoms, your loved one might need help with a range of tasks, including following their treatment plan, managing symptoms, reducing stress, and seeking social support.
Based on the circumstances and severity of the condition, your work as a caregiver might begin evenbeforeyour loved one is diagnosed with shingles and may be needed long after the rash disappears.
Doctors Visits and Medications
Shingles medicationsare often more effective when they are started as early as possible, so prompt treatment can impact the severity and duration of symptoms.
If your loved one has a rash and is feeling sick, encourage them to see their doctor right away. Depending on how much pain they are experiencing, you might even want to make the appointment on their behalf (with their permission) and drive them to the doctor’s office to provide support during the initial and subsequent visits.
Once shingles has been diagnosed and a treatment plan established, your loved one might need assistance in picking up prescriptions and keeping track of medication doses.
Things to keep in mind:
Organizing prescriptions and reminding your loved one to take the right medication at the right time and at the right dosage can be one of the most important roles you have as a caregiver.
If your loved one has concerns about their signs or symptoms, medication side effects, or treatment plan, you can also encourage or help them direct those questions to their doctor.
Shingles Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
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Symptom Management
Verywell / Jessica OlahOwner
Infection Control
While you can’t “catch” shingles, someone with the disease can spread the virus thatcauses it—varicella-zoster—to other people.
Another important issue is that secondary skin infections (usually bacterial) can happen if sores become contaminated.
Some steps you can take as a caregiver to reduce the risk of spreading or acquiring infections include:
Scratching the rash can also risk spreading the virus and/or opening up the skin to a new infection—which is why it’s so important to keep the area covered and to soothe discomfort and itchiness.
Is Shingles Contagious?
Stress and pain are intertwined—when one increases, the other does, too. Breaking that cycle is can help keep your loved one as comfortable as possible while they recover from shingles.
The things that work to lower stress levels might vary from person to person, but there are a number of things that you can do to help.
Those with shingles might not be able to do routine life maintenance tasks while they’re recovering. If that’s the case, a little help around the home or managing paperwork can go a long way to allowing your loved to focus on getting better.
Some ways you can help with these personal tasks:
Social interactions can impact your quality of life. Maintaining a strong social support system while recovering from shingles can be a part of the healing process, and you as a caregiver can play an important role.
The shingles rash usually crusts over in about 10 days. After that, it’s no longer able to spread the virus that causes chickenpox.
What Is the Shingrix Vaccine?
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating shingles.NIH National Institute on Aging.Shingles.American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles: Transmission.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating shingles.NIH National Institute on Aging.Shingles.American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles: Transmission.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating shingles.NIH National Institute on Aging.Shingles.American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.National Institute on Aging.Shingles.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles: Transmission.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treating shingles.
NIH National Institute on Aging.Shingles.
American Psychological Association.Manage stress: Strengthen your support network.
National Institute on Aging.Shingles.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Shingles: Transmission.
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