Herpes Zoster
Herpes Zoster is a condition that occurs as a result of viral infection.
Herpes Zoster is also known as "Shingles", and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Following an attack of chickenpox, the virus lays dormant in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord. Later, due to one of various stimuli, the virus may migrate down the sensory nerve to affect one or more dermatones on the skin in a band, causing the characteristic singles rash.
One side of the face or eye (ophthalmic zoster) may be affected.
Shingles may be chronically painfully (post-herpetic neuralgia), especially in the elderly.
Herpes Zoster is distinctly different from Herpes Simplex.
See also skin conditions and disorders (all on one page). This may interest students of massage, reflexology, holistic treatments of various types, beauty therapies, and other health related courses.
Further information about skin includes the structure of skin (with diagram), an explanation of what dermatology means and includes and textbooks about dermatology.
