Re: Not sure what happened...

This is what I found on shingles:

HZ is caused when varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox, is reactivated from a latent or dormant (inactive) state. After an infection with VZV, a person can retain the virus, quite commonly in nerve tissue. While most cases of reactivation can not be linked definitively to a specific cause, some cases of viral reactivation are felt to be related to physiological stresses, such as extreme fatigue, suppression of the immune system, concurrent cancer, or intense exposure to environmental extremes (sunlight or heat), or significant emotional stress. Shingles is a situation wherein the virus becomes active in the distribution of one or more nerve roots, which are branches off the spinal cord.

In a typical episode of shingles, the victim (most commonly a person older than 60 years of age – but this is an affliction certainly seen in younger individuals as well) notes symptoms prior to eruption of the rash. These include a sensation of tingling or burning in the skin that will soon become reddened and blistered. Sometimes the tingling and burning can become sharply and intensely painful prior to appearance of the rash. When the skin is examined at this stage, it may appear normal.

Within a few days of the abnormal sensations, the skin reddens and blisters, with clusters of fluid-filled skin bubbles corresponding to the distribution of the particular involved nerve(s). During this stage, pain may be very severe. If the face, mouth, eyes, or genitals are involved, a person may have difficulty with eating, vision, or urinating.

After a case of HZ, the victim may suffer the complication of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which may cause debilitating pain for months. PHN is often defined as severe pain associated with HZ that persists for 90 days after the initial onset of pain.

Treatment for acute HZ includes prompt administration of an antiviral drug, such as famciclovir or acyclovir. However, this treatment is not curative, but rather, shortens the duration of the rash and pain. Furthermore, the antiviral agents do not seem to prevent the occurrence of PHN.

Ok, I do not have any fluid filled skin bubbles. I started the protokol because I had eczema on my hands, little tiny bubbles, but I don't see them any more. The skin is just red and itchy.