What causes snake-like herpes (herpes zoster)?

Shingles generally refers to herpes zoster. Under normal circumstances, herpes zoster may be caused by factors such as mental stress, excessive fatigue, unhealthy lifestyle habits, trauma, or varicella-zoster virus infection, and management should be based on specific situations.

1. Mental Stress: When experiencing excessive mental stress, the body secretes stress hormones such as cortisol, which can suppress immune system function, allowing the dormant varicella-zoster virus in the nerve ganglia to reactivate and cause herpes zoster. It is recommended to relieve mental stress using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation training.

2. Excessive Fatigue: Prolonged overexertion can lead to a decline in bodily functions and impaired immune system function, making it difficult to effectively suppress the virus. As a result, the dormant varicella-zoster virus may be reactivated, leading to the disease. Patients are advised to get adequate rest and ensure sufficient sleep daily.

3. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits: Unhealthy habits such as long-term smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise can lead to declining physical function and reduced immunity, increasing the risk of viral reactivation. It is recommended to change unhealthy habits and develop a routine of regular physical activity, such as brisk walking or swimming, to enhance immune function.

4. Trauma: When the skin sustains trauma, such as burns, abrasions, scratches, or surgical incisions, the integrity of the skin is compromised, and the body's defense mechanisms are impaired, allowing the dormant virus an opportunity to reactivate and cause herpes zoster. It is recommended to use medications such as acyclovir for injection and mecobalamin tablets under the guidance of a physician.

5. Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection: The initial infection with varicella-zoster virus typically presents as chickenpox. After infecting the body, the virus remains dormant in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord or sensory ganglia of the cranial nerves. When immunity declines, the virus reactivates, travels along nerve fibers to the skin, and causes herpes zoster. It is recommended to use medications such as famciclovir tablets or valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets under the guidance of a physician.

Patients should keep the affected skin areas clean and dry, wear loose, breathable cotton clothing, and minimize friction on the herpes zoster lesions.