Shingles Diagnosis and Treatment NYC
- SAME day Appt - Evenings - Saturdays.
- Accept most insurances.
- Discount for uninsured ($90).
- Board Certified Doctor.
- Convenient Manhattan Location
*Care provided for 18 years of age and older
Recent Patient Comments
When the doctor told me I had shingles I couldn’t believe it. To be honest, I didn’t even know what shingles was! Turns out it is a complication from the same virus that gave me chicken pox when I was a kid. Back then it was sort of cool to miss school, this time it was cool to get such great medical treatment from Walk In Clinic of New York! Seriously, everyone should go here. They really know what they’re doing!
-Ken K.
We accept most insurances
- 1199
- Admin. Concepts
- Aetna
- Aftra Health Fund
- AliCare
- Allied Benefit
- Allstate
- Amalgamated Life
- Ameriben
- Anthem
- Assurant
- Atlantis
- Beech Street
- Benefit Concepts
- Blue Cross
- Can Assistance
- CareFirst
- CD PHP
- Celtic
- Cigna
- CISI
- Companion Life
- Consolidated
- Coventry
- Delta Health
- EBS-RMSCO
- Emblem Health
- Empire Plan
- Fallon
- First health
- FreeLancers
- Frontier International
- GEHA
- GHI
- GHMSI
- Gilsbar
- Global Excel
- Golden Rule
- Great West
- Guardian
- Harrington Health
- Hartford
- HCC medical
- Health Choice
- Health Equity
- Health plan Admin.
- Healthnet
- HPHC
- IMG
FAQs
- What is shingles?
- What are the symptoms?
- How did I get shingles?
- Are there any possible complications of shingles?
- How do I treat shingles?
- How long does shingles last?
- When can I return to work?
- How long am I contagious?
- When should I go to the doctor?
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful rash usually in the shape of a belt of band. Shingles is caused by the virus that also causes chickenpox. Although people of all ages can have shingles, it is most prevalent in people over the age of 50 years. After having chickenpox once in your life, the virus can lay dormant for years and reappear as shingles later. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 3 people in the US will experience the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles at least once in their life.
What are the symptoms?
Shingles most often causes a painful rash in the shape of a belt or band. The symptoms usually start as generalized pain, burning and itching on the skin and progress to a red, inflamed rash in the characteristic band shape, usually on the chest or back. There is a possibility of the rash appearing on the face. If that occurs, there is a risk of permanent eye or ear damage. The pain varies from mild to severe, but many describe it as a sharp, burning or stabbing pain. Most often, the pain begins several days before the rash appears. Some people may experience fever, headaches or generalized cold or flu-like symptoms as well as the rash.
After several days, the rash develops into open sores. Once this occurs, it is important to keep the rash clean and dry. For people with weaker immune systems, these sores can become infected. Within 3 to 4 weeks the rash and pain generally disappear completely. In a small percentage of those affected by shingles, the pain may last for several weeks or months after the rash has resolved.
How did I get shingles?
Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox in the past, the virus may lay dormant for years or even decades in your cells, but eventually reappear as a case of shingles. If you have never had chickenpox, you can contract the virus from direct skin-to-skin contact with a person suffering from shingles or inhaling the virus from the air. Either type of exposure may cause you to contract a case of chickenpox or shingles.
Are there any possible complications of shingles?
Yes, in approximately 1 in 10 people that have had shingles will experience one of the following complications:
- PHN (Postherpetic neuralgia) - when the pain of the rash persists long after the rash itself has resolved.
- Infection of the skin - may occur while open sores exist on the rash
- Eye or ear complications - this is more likely to occur if the rash is on the face
- Scarring - if the rash becomes infected, you may experience some scarring or changes in skin coloration that last months or years
How do I treat shingles?
At home, you can take an over the counter pain reliever for the pain. However, you should go to a doctor as soon as possible to receive a prescription for an antiviral medication, this will help with the rash itself. If you are experiencing severe pain, you can also receive a prescription pain reliever.
A combination of antiviral and pain relief medications are most effective to both lessen the severity and duration of the shingles virus and rash. Antiviral medication are most effective if given within 3 days of the appearance of the shingles rash and are recommended for almost everyone.
Creams and gels are generally NOT recommended for the treatment of the rash.
How long does shingles last?
Depending on the severity of the rash and your treatment plan, the rash and pain should disappear after 3 to 4 weeks.
When can I return to work?
If the rash is somewhere that can easily be covered with gauze or clothing, you can return to work as soon as you feel well enough. If the rash is on your face or hands, you should not return until the rash has crusted over and is no longer contagious to others. This usually occurs 7-10 days after the appearance of the rash.
How long am I contagious?
Once the rash is completely crusted over, usually 7-10 after the initial appearance, you are no longer contagious to others.
When should I go to the doctor?
As soon as you suspect you may have shingles you should make an appointment with a doctor. The doctor can then confirm the diagnosis of shingles and prescribe both prescription for antiviral and pain medications to decrease the severity and duration of the shingles rash. Make an online appointment today!
Call today to make an appointment. Our Urgent Care NYC is conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan at 274 Madison Ave(between 39-40 streets) Suite #304, New York, NY 10016. To schedule an appointment call us at 212-696-5900