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Difference between hives and shingles
Hives and shingles are both conditions which affects the skin. Hives or urticaria is itchy, red, raised welts that can disappear on their own whereas, shingles result from a viral infection that produces a painful but they are not life threatening rash. Shingles are usually located on the back and chest. Hives can occur on any part of the body, but usually it appears on arms, palms, trunk and soles of the feet. Hives are caused due to skin inflammation, which may result from cells releasing chemical like histamine or an allergic reaction. Shingles are resulted by varicella-zoster virus.
Hives is a common skin condition that can affect person any person at any age and in any season of the year. Shingles is a skin condition that is common in adults and people who have weak immune systems because of injury, stress, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who develop shingles will get better and will not get it again.
Difference between hives and shingles:
- Symptoms of hives and shingles: Symptoms of hives are welts of varying sizes which burn, itch or ting. Severe cases can lead to swelling of the surrounding tissues. Symptoms of shingles are burning, tingling pain, red blistering rash and extreme sensitivity on the specific area of skin.
- Causes of hives and shingles: Hives are itchy swollen red or pink bumps which are mostly caused by an allergic reaction to insect bites, medication and food whereas; shingles are mostly caused by the same virus which causes chicken pox. The virus remains stationary within the nerve cells.
- Duration of hives and shingles: An acute case of hives will dispel within 6 weeks. In some cases they disappear within a matter of days. Chronic case of hives lasts longer. Whereas, shingles usually appear disappear within a few weeks. The duration of shingles can be shorter if they will be treated with anti- viral medication early on.
- Treatment of hives and shingles: The best way to treat hives is by knowing the allergens that are causing hives and then eliminating them. It is one f the most effective way to treat hives. Antihistamine can help you to get rid of hives. Severe cases of hives can be treated with epinephrine or cortisone. Shingles are usually treated with pain reliever and cool compresses to lessen or eliminate the painful symptoms. An anti viral medication can be helpful only if it is taken within 72 hours of the virus onset.
- Prevention of hives and shingles: You should avoid triggers that have caused previous allergic cases in order to prevent hives. Shingles can be prevented by two available vaccines. Vaccines such as the standard childhood varicella vaccine for chicken pox and the varicella-zoster vaccine for adults older than 60 can be used to prevent shingles.
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