Serious complications from self-treating shingles by applying leaves and 'drawing on contracts'

Blisters on the skin of patients with shingles

According to information from Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the hospital receives about 80 cases of shingles each month, of which about 15-20% have complications due to self-treatment by applying leaves, "drawing on paper" or self-medication.

Superinfection due to self-treatment of shingles

Most recently, the hospital admitted Ms. M. (62 years old, living in Binh Duong province) for examination with swelling, redness, edema, pustules, yellow pus, and many scattered ulcers on the upper right side of her face.

Taking a medical history, it was known that about 2 weeks ago, Ms. M. suddenly had pain and a tingling sensation on the right side of her head, then many blisters appeared and gradually spread from her head to her face.

Mrs. M. went to a neighbor's house to treat shingles by chewing a mixture of betel leaves, areca nuts, tobacco, and lime, then "drawing" it on the ground (a trick), and applying the mixture to the blistered area.

Every day, she applied this mixture twice: early in the morning before the sun rose and when the sun had completely set. When the pain was severe, she also crushed raw green beans and applied them to the wound, and took some medicines recommended by her neighbors.

After 5 days, Mrs. M.'s neck had many swollen lymph nodes, the blisters spread more and more, the blisters burst and oozed fluid, a lot of yellow pus began to appear, and her right eye was swollen, reducing her vision.

The doctor diagnosed Mrs. M. with shingles complicated by skin infection and secondary lymphadenitis due to applying leaves and seeds.

Another case is Mr. H. (46 years old, Vung Tau) who had to be hospitalized for 10 days due to complications from self-treating shingles. A month ago, he had a cluster of blisters the size of the tip of his little finger in his groin.

He bought himself topical and oral medications to treat dermatitis caused by the venom of the three-cavity ant. After using the medication, the disease did not improve but instead caused extensive ulceration, infection, and pain that prevented him from walking.

Mr. H. was diagnosed with shingles attacking the inguinal and scrotal nerves, causing severe pain in the genital area and scrotal edema. The affected area often rubs against clothing, causing the blisters to break easily, become infected, and be difficult to heal.

These are 2 of dozens of patients with severe complications of shingles treated at this hospital recently.

Shingles usually appears on one side of the patient's neck or face.

Do not self-medicate

Doctor Vo Thi Tuong Duy, a dermatologist - cosmetic skin specialist at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, said that a common mistake that causes many people to have complications when self-treating shingles is applying folk remedies and tips such as: going to judge, drawing a circle by using incense sticks or betel leaves to draw around the area with shingles; or chewing and applying leaves, green beans, honey, garlic, aloe vera, and essential oils to the wound; using needles and thorns to puncture blisters...

The patient also avoids wind, water, and saying the name of the disease, so he does not bathe or turn on the fan even though it is hot and itchy.

Many patients are subjective, instead of going to the hospital for examination, they buy medicine to take themselves. Or in some cases, they mistake the symptoms of shingles for contact dermatitis caused by insect bites and treat it with the wrong medicine.

"Up to now, there is no scientific basis to prove that applying leaves or using folk remedies can treat shingles. Dust, active ingredients in leaves, or bacteria in saliva when chewing these leaves can penetrate the lesions and make shingles worse," Dr. Duy emphasized.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy - Head of the Department of Skin Disease Treatment for Women and Children, Central Dermatology Hospital, shingles is caused by a virus. At first, the patient has a mild fever, fatigue, aches and pains, then itching, pain or burning, pain along the nerves on one side of the body.

When the rash appears, it will be hot, itchy and extremely painful. The rash appears as large strips or patches, after 3-4 days it develops into round or oval red blisters, scattered or in strips, streaks along the nerve containing a lot of fluid and causing pain.

Shingles often appears on one side of the body such as: around the waist, one side of the face, neck or body, depending on the location of the disease, there are different complications.

Particularly dangerous are acute complications such as pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis or spinal cord inflammation that require emergency treatment.

Therefore, shingles should be treated as early as possible, preferably before symptoms of a rash appear. If antiviral drugs are used early, the virus will be controlled, avoiding serious damage and complications.

"After having shingles, you should not be subjective because the disease can still recur. Groups that are prone to recurrence include: pregnant and breastfeeding women with poor health, the disease can also cause infection, directly affecting the fetus and young children; people with HIV/AIDS and other immunodeficiency diseases; cancer patients, those undergoing cancer treatment; people who have just had an organ transplant or are seriously ill..." - Dr. Thuy emphasized.

To avoid complications of shingles, Dr. Duy recommends that patients should go to medical facilities with dermatology specialists for examination immediately when red patches and blisters appear in succession along the nerve, scattered or clustered in strips or streaks; swollen lymph nodes, pain in the affected area, fatigue, headache, and fever.

In addition to strictly following the doctor's treatment instructions, patients should keep their bodies clean and avoid scratching, which can cause blisters to break, secondary infections, and scarring.

At the same time, during the time of blisters, the patient should avoid contact with people who have never had chickenpox to prevent the disease from spreading, especially to people with weak immune systems such as the elderly and children.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bien-chung-nang-vi-tu-chua-zona-bang-dap-la-cay-ve-khoan-20240520084624103.htm