What Is the Difference Between Shingles & a Pinched Nerve?
Shingles and a pinched nerve cause pain for the individual that is nearly excruciating. The pain comes from deep within the nerve; therefore it is not uncommon for people to mistake one for the other. There are some inherent differences between the two.
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Shingles Symptoms
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Symptoms of shingles are different than symptoms of a pinched nerve. Some of the external symptoms of Shingles are painful blisters and rashes.
Pinched Nerve Symptoms
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Symptoms of a pinched nerve are excruciating pain that will not go away. The individual most likely will not have much ability to move and experience numbness and tingling in the extremities.
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Internal Differences
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The internal differences between shingles and a pinched nerve are numerous. With a pinched nerve, the nerves in the neck or back are pushed by cartilage or pinched by the bone. This may happen because of a deteriorating bone, a slipped disc or even a tumor. Occasionally individuals will experience a pinched nerve as the result of bad posture. Shingles is a virus that attacks the nerves and causes them to become inflamed.
Treatment of Shingles
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Treatment of the two conditions also varies. Treatment of shingles involves antiviral medications available by prescription only; antibacterial lotions and creams for the external blistering, and often a cool compress for the blisters.
Treatment of a Pinched Nerve
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Treatment for a pinched nerve could involve surgery if the condition does not correct itself.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Shutr
