Menopause is defined as not having periods for at least 12 months due to declining hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, and the average age of menopause in UK is 51 years. Some women can have menopause earlier than 45 years of age.
Menopause usually occurs naturally with increasing age. It can also be caused by various other reasons such as surgery to remove ovaries and uterus, chemotherapy, or genetic disorder.
Perimenopause is when there are symptoms of menopause but the periods have not stopped. Perimenopause ends and menopause starts when there has not been a period for 12 months.
The periods usually become irregular initially before they stop altogether. Sometimes the symptoms of menopause can start years before the actual menopause occurs and can continue afterwards for some time.
The common symptoms of menopause are irregular periods, hot flushes, sweating, mood swings, anxiety, brain fog or problems with memory and concentration.
The other symptoms include sleep difficulties, palpitations, headache, muscle and joint pains, weight gain, dry and itchy skin, reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, pain or itching during sex, recurrent urine infections, sensitive teeth and painful gums.
Regular contraception such as the pill, hormonal coil, contraceptive implant or injection can make it difficult to know with certainty if menopause has been reached as these can affect the periods.
The combined pill can also mask or control the symptoms of menopause, particularly hot flushes and night sweats.
Contraception can be stopped at the age of 55 as natural pregnancy is not common after this age. The combined pill should be stopped at the age of 50 and it is best to switch to mini pill (progestogen-only pill) or other methods of contraception. This is to prevent various issues associated with the combined pill.
The main treatment for menopause is HRT (hormone replacement therapy) to replace the hormones that are low during menopause. This is a safe and effective treatment for most people.
HRT usually contains oestrogen, and this can come in different forms such as tablets, implants, skin patches, and gel or spray to put on the skin.
If the uterus is still present, progesterone will be required as well as oestrogen, and this is called combined HRT. Progesterone is available as patches in combination with oestrogen, IUS coil, and tablets.
HRT can help with symptoms of both menopause and perimenopause including hot flushes, brain fog, joint pains, mood swings and vaginal dryness. It can take weeks to months to see improvement in menopausal symptoms.
Testosterone can be offered for low sex drive if HRT doesn’t work. Vaginal oestrogen remedies can help with vaginal dryness. These can be used for life as they do not enter the bloodstream to cause complications. Vaginal oestrogen can be used with HRT.
There are several over the counter vaginal treatments that can be tried without a prescription from a doctor.
If HRT is not an option or tolerated, there are various other treatments that can be used to treat the symptoms of menopause. Medications such as clonidine and gabapentin can help with severe menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.
Antidepressants could help with depression, anxiety and mood swings. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) can help with low mood, anxiety, sleep problems, hot flushes and joint pain. It is also recommended to get plenty of rest, exercise regularly and do relaxing activities to help with these symptoms.
To help with hot flushes, it is advised to wear light clothing, to keep the bedroom cool at night, to take cool showers, to reduce stress, and to exercise regularly.
Regular exercise, healthy eating, vitamin D supplements, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol can help prevent weak bones or osteoporosis that can occur with menopause.
Complementary or herbal remedies are not usually recommended as it is not clear how safe and effective they are.
However, some women find evening primrose oil, vitamin E supplements, black cohosh, and red clover helpful. Getting plenty of rest and sleep, eating healthily, having calcium-rich foods like milk and yoghurt, doing regular exercise, trying yoga and meditation, avoiding smoking and excess alcohol can be beneficial as well.
The medical term for heavy periods is menorrhagia. A lot of women suffer from menorrhagia and this could be normal for them if heavy periods do not affect their daily lives.
Heavy period can be defined as having the need to change a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, to require 2 types of period products together, to have periods lasting more than 7 days, to pass blood clots larger than 2.5 cm, to bleed through the clothes or bedding, to avoid daily activities due to bleeding, and to develop symptoms such as fatigue or breathlessness.
Periods can be particularly heavy when they first start to happen, after pregnancy and during menopause.
The other causes of menorrhagia are fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, pelvic inflammatory disease, blood disorders such as Von Willebrand disease, certain medications such as chemotherapy and anticoagulants or blood thinners, and rarely uterine cancer.
It should be noted that smoking and alcohol can increase the blood loss.
Heavy periods do not require treatment if there are no other symptoms or negative impact on daily activities. If treatment is required, the available options are combined contraceptive pill, IUS coil, tranexamic acid, anti-inflammatory medications such as mefenamic acid and naproxen.
If these treatments do not work, the next step is to see a gynaecologist. This specialist doctor can arrange further tests to determine the underlying cause of menorrhagia.
Depending on the underlying cause, a specialised treatment may be required such as endometrial ablation where the lining of the uterus is removed, fibroid removal surgery, and total or partial removal of the uterus.
If there are heavy periods and these are having a negative effect on the daily activities, it is advised to see a doctor in person for further assessment.
Molluscum contagiosum is a benign skin infection that causes spots on the skin. Although it can occur in any age group it is more common in children.
Molluscum contagiosum may only cause a rash on the skin without any other symptoms. It is caused by a virus called pox virus.
Molluscum lesions are flesh coloured, dome shaped papules with central dimpling. These can measure anywhere from 1 mm to 1 cm. They can occur in crops of up to 20 spots.
The spots of molluscum contagiosum can be found anywhere on the body, although they are rare on the palms and on mucous membranes.
These spots are usually harmless and should not cause any associated health issues.
Any individual lesion may last a couple of months, but it can take up to 18 months for complete clearance of the lesions without needing treatment.
Occasionally, there could just be one lesion, but multiple lesions are more usual. Eczema sufferers can have hundreds of mollusca or lesions, due to problems with normal barrier of the skin.
Once the lesions have cleared, they do not usually come back.
Molluscum contagiosum is contagious and it can be passed on by direct skin to skin contact. However, there is no need to stop normal daily activities.
If there is dry and itchy skin with the spots, using an unperfumed moisturiser, having cool baths, and holding a damp towel against the skin could help. For adults, using a condom during sexual intercourse can prevent the spread to a partner.
It is best to not share baths, bedding, towels and clothes. The spots or lesions should not be scratched or squeezed as this can lead to secondary infection.
For symptomatic spots, Molludab 5% potassium hydroxide is available over the counter. It can be applied to each individual lesion or all over the affected area with a cotton bud or with the applicator.
Steroid cream for itchy and irritated skin, and a course of antibiotics for infected spots can be considered if needed.
Cryotherapy or freezing with liquid nitrogen and surgical excision are other options for more resistant cases.
If there is uncertainty about the diagnosis of a rash or if there are lesions close to the eyes, it is advisable to see a doctor in person.
PCOS is a common condition and is due to the presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries. These cysts can interfere with the normal functioning of the ovaries leading to various symptoms.
The common symptoms of PCOS are irregular or absent periods, weight gain, excess hair growth (hirsutism) due to raised male hormone androgen, acne, hair loss or thinning, and infertility.
In PCOS, the sacs or follicles in which eggs are produced become underdeveloped. These underdeveloped follicles do not release an egg which means that ovulation does not occur. This is the underlying cause for potential infertility that is associated with PCOS.
Most women with PCOS do not develop any significant symptoms. In those who develop symptoms, these usually start in late teens or early 20s.
The exact cause of PCOS is not known, and there may be a genetic component as it often runs in families.
There is currently no cure for PCOS. There are several treatments available that can alleviate the symptoms of PCOS. Contraceptive pills can work to control the symptoms of PCOS and these can be quite effective in helping with irregular periods, acne and excess hair growth.
The other common treatment of PCOS is a medication called metformin. This is usually given for the treatment of diabetes. Since PCOS is related to high levels of insulin in the body, metformin can help with that.
Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, healthy diet and regular exercise could be beneficial as well.
Most women with PCOs should be able to get pregnant with the appropriate treatment. Clomifene is a commonly used treatment option for women with PCOS as it promotes ovulation. Metformin can also stimulate ovulation.
If these treatments fail, IVF or a procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) can be considered. LOD procedure leads to increased levels of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and this can help restore the normal function of the ovaries.
For excess hair growth that is troublesome, anti-androgens such as cyproterone acetate, spironolactone and finasteride may be considered.
PCOS is thought to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol level (hypercholesterolaemia) later in life. Effective lifestyle changes can help prevent these conditions.
If PCOS is suspected, it is best to see a doctor in person for further assessment and treatment.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red and crusty patches of skin with silvery scales.
Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, and it is more common on elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.
It affects men and women equally. It can start at any age, but it is more common in adults between 20 and 30 years old and between 50 and 60 years old.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe and there can be periods of no symptoms or flare ups.
The exact cause of psoriasis is not fully understood, and it is thought that it is caused by a problem with the immune system.
There are other risk factors or triggers that can increase the risk of getting psoriasis and these include genetics, injury to skin, throat infections, certain medications, smoking, and obesity.
Psoriasis is not contagious, and it cannot be spread from person to person.
The diagnosis is clinical but in rare cases, a skin biopsy may be required.
Psoriasis can cause psoriatic arthritis, and this can present with tenderness, pain and swelling in the joints and connective tissue. When this is suspected, blood tests and an X-ray may be required.
There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there are several treatments available to control the symptoms and to improve the skin.
The common treatments for psoriasis are vitamin D analogues such as calcipotriene, corticosteroids, coal tar, anthralin, tazarotene, and Dovobet (corticosteroid + calcipotriene).
Topical treatments come in the form of creams and ointments applied to the affected parts of the skin. There are several brands available over the counter without a prescription and these can be tried first for mild psoriasis.
If topical treatments do not work and for more severe cases of psoriasis, other treatment options can be considered such as phototherapy, oral or injected medications.
Phototherapy involves exposing the skin to certain types of ultraviolet light which is thought to be beneficial for psoriatic skin.
There are two main types of specialised treatments for severe psoriasis. The first type is non-biological and usually given as oral tablets or capsules. The second type is called biological and usually given as injections.
The non-biological medications include methotrexate, ciclosporin and acitretin; and biological treatments are etanercept, adalimumab and infliximab. These are specialised treatments and can only be initiated by a dermatologist.
If psoriasis is suspected, it is advisable to see a doctor or dermatologist in person for further assessment.
There are many different types and causes of skin rashes. Most skin rashes are due to benign or harmless causes and do not require treatment. However, some rashes may require treatment or an assessment by a doctor.
Skin rashes can have different names depending on their nature and appearance.
Redness of the skin alone is called erythema.
If there are areas of red raised skin and scales or flakes, these are called plaques.
A rash or lesion that is reddish-purple colour and does not blanch or fade with pressure is called purpura.
Clear fluid-containing lesions or swellings are called blisters, and yellow fluid- or pus-containing lesions are known as pustules.
A hive rash appears as raised, itchy, red or skin-coloured bumps or welts. This type of rash is also called urticaria or nettle rash.
The common causes of an acute rash are allergic reaction, heat rash, burns, dry skin or irritation, scratching, animal, insect and plant bites, folliculitis, fungal infection, and cellulitis.
The other causes are usually due to chronic skin conditions and include eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, chronic dry skin and lichen planus.
If the rash is mild and there are no associated symptoms, there is no need to suspect anything serious.
It is best to avoid any possible triggers or aggravating factors as this would prevent the rash from getting worse.
Some acute rashes can be relieved by over-the-counter antihistamines or anti-allergy medications such as chlorphenamine, loratadine, cetirizine or fexofenadine.
A steroid cream called hydrocortisone can also help some rashes and associated itching and irritation. This is usually available over the counter without a prescription. Steroid creams should not be applied to the skin for more than 7 days at a time as they can thin the skin.
Skin rashes that can be treated with an antihistamine and hydrocortisone cream include allergic reactions, hives or urticaria, insect and animal bites, and eczema.
If fungal infection is suspected or if there may have been an exposure, over the counter antifungal treatments such as clotrimazole (Canesten) or miconazole (Daktarin) can be tried.
Folliculitis and cellulitis are due to infection and inflammation of the skin, and mild cases may be treated with topical antibacterial creams such as Tribiotic cream, Germolene, Sudocrem Antiseptic Cream, Betadine Antiseptic Solution, Neosporin or Polysporin.
More severe cases of folliculitis and cellulitis will require treatment with oral antibiotics.
The presence purpura, particularly in babies and children, could be related to more serious illness such as meningitis and requires urgent medical assessment in the hospital.
If there is a rash that does not resolve with conventional treatments, it is advisable to see a doctor in person.
Rashes are very common in babies and children, and most are due to benign or harmless causes. A high temperature or other symptoms may or may not accompany the rash.
Newborn babies can have milia which are very small spots that appear on the face, particularly the nose.
Millia can also affect older babies and children, and the spots could appear on the eyelids, forehead and nappy area.
Milia are harmless and do not require treatment, and the spots usually resolve within a few weeks, although they could last longer in older children.
Erythema toxicum is another rash that can occur in babies in the first few weeks after birth. This consists of raised red, yellow and white spots and usually appears on the face, body, upper arms and thighs.
This does not require treatment, and it goes away within a few weeks.
Molluscum contagiosum is a benign skin infection that causes spots on the skin. Although it can occur in any age group it is more common in children.
Molluscum contagiosum may only cause a rash on the skin without any other symptoms. It is caused by a virus called pox virus.
Molluscum lesions are flesh coloured, dome shaped papules with central dimpling.
The spots of molluscum contagiosum can be found anywhere on the body, although they are rare on the palms and on mucous membranes.
These spots are usually harmless and should not cause any associated health issues.
A rash on the bottom of babies is likely to be nappy rash. This can be treated at home with various remedies such as Metanium, Timodine or Sudocrem.
Spots or pimples on a baby’s upper body, forehead, scalp and cheeks may be due to neonatal acne. This appears six weeks after birth. No treatment is required for neonatal acne, and it usually goes away after a few weeks or months.
Yellow or white, greasy, scaly patches on a baby’s scalp can be due to cradle cap. This can be treated at home with an emollient or unperfumed baby shampoos.
One of the other causes of a rash in babies and children is slapped cheek syndrome. This presents with a rash on one or both cheeks plus a high temperature, runny nose, sore throat and headache. Older children may be able to tell when they have a sore throat or headache, whereas smaller children or babies usually point to their mouth or hold their head.
Slapped cheek syndrome is a benign condition and it can usually be treated at home without the need to see a doctor in person. Babies should continue with their normal feeds and children should have plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
The rash due to slapped check syndrome usually takes 1 to 3 weeks to resolve, but sometimes it can last longer.
The other common cause of rash is hand, foot and mouth disease. This presents with a rash or blisters on the hands and feet and ulcers in the mouth.
Hand, foot and mouth disease can be accompanied by a high temperature, sore throat and loss of appetite. These symptoms usually occur before the blisters appear.
This condition usually resolves on its own in 7 to 10 days without seeing a doctor and does not require antibiotics. Paracetamol can be given for high temperature and sore throat. Drinking cool fluids could help with the ulcers in the mouth.
A heat rash is also quite common, and it appears as small, raised spots that feel itchy or prickly.
This can be treated at home without seeing a doctor. It is recommended to wear loose cotton clothing, take cool showers and drink plenty of fluids.
An antihistamine such as chlorphenamine or Piriton and calamine lotion can help with a heat rash.
Eczema is another common skin condition in babies and children. This usually causes dry, scaly or cracked and itchy skin. Eczema is more common behind the knees, elbows and neck.
Eczema is a chronic condition and requires an assessment by a doctor for proper management. The usual treatments for eczema are emollients, steroid creams, and antihistamines.
A raised rash with itchy spots, patches or hives is likely due to an allergic reaction. Mild allergic rash can be treated at home with observation. An antihistamine such as chlorphenamine or Piriton can be considered if there is itching or irritation.
If there is a more severe rash, swelling around the mouth, cough or breathing difficulties, urgent medical help should be sought.
A rash that looks like a ring-shaped patch of skin is likely to be ringworm. This can be itchy, dry, scaly or swollen. Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body.
A ringworm can be treated at home with an antifungal cream, gel or spray.
If there is a rash with small, raised bumps that feels rough, this could be due to scarlet fever.
Scarlet fever usually starts with a fever, a sore throat and swollen lymph glands in the neck. A rash appears 12 to 48 hours after these flu-like symptoms.
With scarlet fever, there could be a strawberry tongue sign where it would look red, swollen and covered in small bumps.
Although the actual rash does not appear on the face, the cheeks can look red due to illness itself.
It is recommended to contact a doctor if there are symptoms of scarlet fever as this is usually treated with a course of antibiotics. If there is further illness or symptoms weeks after scarlet fever got better, this could suggest a complication such as rheumatic fever and further medical assessment will be needed.
Impetigo is characterised by blisters or sores that burst and leave a crusty, golden-brown patches, mainly around the mouth.
The red sores or blisters can be itchy and painful, and spread to other parts of the body.
Impetigo is very infectious. It is usually treated with topical antibiotic creams or oral antibiotics.
Scabies causes a very itchy rash with raised spots, which may first appear between the fingers.
Scabies in babies and children usually affects the feet and hands, often with blisters.
The treatment of scabies is with 5% permethrin cream or 0.5% aqueous malathion.
A rash consisting of small, itchy spots that turn into blisters and scabs is usually due to chickenpox. Chickenpox rash can appear anywhere on the body including inside the mouth.
Before or after the rash appears, there may be a fever, loss of appetite and aches and pains. Chickenpox is usually very itchy, and this can be distressing for children.
Chickenpox does not normally cause a major illness in children. They should stay away from nursery, school and crowded places.
Paracetamol can be considered for high temperature and aches and pains. Children should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Cooling creams or gels and an antihistamine can be used to help itching and irritation.
Ibuprofen is not recommended in chickenpox as this may cause serious skin infections.
A more serious rash that can occur in babies and children is measles. This presents with a spotty rash on the head and neck and spreads to the rest of the body.
Measles can start with a fever, cough, runny nose, and red, sore and watery eyes. The rash usually appears a few days after these initial symptoms. There can be white spots inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips.
Measles is not very common due to childhood vaccination programme; but if there is any suspicion of measles, urgent medical assessment should be sought.
Measles is very contagious, and it is advisable to avoid contact with others until this is fully treated.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky and itchy skin. It can affect the face, scalp and centre of the chest. It is also known as seborrhoeic eczema.
This condition can cause flaking or dandruff, redness, scaling or weeping rash on the scalp. It can cause redness, inflammation and crusting around inner parts of the eyebrows, creases beside the nose, near the cheeks, inside the ear canals and behind the ears.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is quite common and it occurs more commonly in young adults. It can occur in infants as well and usually resolves without treatment over a period of a few months. Cradle cap in infants is likely to be related to this.
The exact cause of this condition is not fully known. A fungus called Malassezia that lives on the skin is thought to play a role in causing it.
It may occur in people with low immunity such as those with HIV infection, and in those with Parkinson’s disease. The other triggers could be cold weather, stress and tiredness.
Seborrhoeic dermatitis is not thought to be related to diet or run in families.
The diagnosis of seborrhoeic dermatitis is clinical and does not usually require testing. In rare cases or where there is a recurrent problem, a skin biopsy can be considered.
There is currently no cure for seborrhoeic dermatitis and the available treatments are aimed at controlling the symptoms. The likelihood of symptoms returning after treatment is quite high, and so it may be necessary to use the treatments continuously or for a long time.
The common treatments for seborrhoeic dermatitis include zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide, antifungal medication and steroids.
For scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis, shampoos containing zinc pyrithione, selenium sulphide or ketoconazole can be used. These should be left on the scalp for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing. Salicylic-based ointment is thought to be beneficial, and this can be rubbed in at night and washed off in the morning. Polytar scalp shampoo may also work for some people.
A scalp application containing a strong steroid can be considered for more severe cases.
For seborrhoeic dermatitis that occurs elsewhere on the body, a mild steroid cream with or without an antifungal medication can work well. An example of this cream is Canesten HC or hydrocortisone and clotrimazole. Hydrocortisone cream should not be used for more than 7 days at a time as it can thin the skin. It is best to leave 1 to 2 weeks between applications.
Washing the body with an antifungal shampoo such as ketoconazole shampoo could also help with the symptoms of redness, flaking and itching. The shampoo can be left on the body for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing.
Medicated ear drops can be considered for symptoms affecting the ear canals.
An anti-fungal shampoo once a week can be used to reduce the chances of the rash coming back once the scalp has been cleared.
If there is dryness of the skin, a good moisturiser such as E45, Ultrabase or Diprobase can be applied.
If conventional treatments do not work, it is advised to see a doctor or dermatologist in person for further assessment and treatment.
More resistant cases may require treatment with oral antifungal medication or lymecycline antibiotic, or with tacrolimus ointment or pimecrolimus cream.
Seborrheic keratosis is a skin condition where there are benign harmless warty growths on the skin caused by unusual build-up of skin cells. Seborrhoeic keratoses are also known as seborrhoeic warts or basal cell papillomas.
This is not a cancerous skin disease, and it does not develop into skin cancer. There is usually no treatment required for the warts.
The growths can appear dark brown or black colour and give the impression that they are stuck on to the skin.
Seborrhoeic keratoses or warts can appear anywhere on the body and the common sites are face, scalp, chest, back and groin.
Seborrhoeic keratosis usually starts to appear after the age of 30. The underlying cause of seborrhoeic keratosis is not known fully, and it can run in families.
These warts are very common, and most people develop 1 or 2 warts after the age of 50. The name can be confusing, and it should be noted that these warts are not the same as common warts and are not caused by HPV virus.
Seborrhoeic keratosis is not infectious and it does not spread to others. The growths remain for life once present. They can look unsightly and cause itching and irritation, but they should not cause any major health issues.
The diagnosis of seborrhoeic keratosis is clinical and tests are not usually required. Rarely, if there is any uncertainty or the possibility of skin cancer on or near the warts, dermatoscopy and skin biopsy may be required.
In the absence of symptoms, no treatment is needed. The growths can be left alone, and they may grow slowly over time.
If they cause symptoms such as itching, irritation or if they interfere with clothing or jewellery, they can be removed through various methods.
The treatment options are cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen, shave or curettage excision and laser surgery.
Once seborrhoeic keratoses have been removed, they do not usually come back.
If there is a new skin growth on the skin that looks suspicious, it is best to see a doctor in person for further assessment.
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash and blisters. It is caused by varicella-zoster virus which also causes chickenpox. Shingles causes inflammation of the nerves beneath the skin affecting one side of the body.
The first signs of shingles can be tingling, and pain which can be severe. A headache and general fatigue can be part of initial signs.
A blistering rash appears on the skin supplied by one or more nerves 1 to 3 days after the pain starts.
Rarely, shingles can cause pain without showing a rash.
Shingles can be triggered by stress, chemotherapy treatment, and certain medical conditions.
Shingles can appear anywhere on the skin and the common sites are chest and abdomen.
It is unusual to have shingles a second time.
Shingles does not spread to others, and it is not possible to get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox. But it is possible to get chickenpox from someone with shingles if the person has not had chickenpox or chickenpox vaccine before.
A mild rash of shingles without any other symptoms may not require treatment.
Otherwise, the main treatment for shingles is antiviral medication such as acyclovir. This is offered to people who have moderate to severe pain or rash, to those who have weakened immunity, and to those people who have a rash affecting other areas of the body apart from chest, abdomen and back.
The treatment for shingles needs to be given within 72 hours of the onset of the rash.
The other treatments of shingles are painkillers and steroids. Paracetamol can help with the shingles pain.
It is advised to keep the rash clean and dry to prevent further infection, to wear loose-fitting clothing, and to use a cool compress. It is not recommended to put on plasters or dressings that could stick to the rash. A non-sticky dressing can be used to cover the rash.
It is recommended to avoid school and work if the rash is active and weeping fluid, or until the rash has dried out.
Shingles can take up to four weeks to heal. The pain could stay longer, and it usually goes away over time.
It is advised to avoid pregnant women, those who have not had chickenpox before, people with weakened immunity, and babies less than 1 month old.
Shingles in pregnancy does not usually cause any complications in the mother or baby. But pregnant women with shingles need to inform their doctor in case treatment is needed.
If shingles affects the eye or multiple areas, it is advised to see a doctor promptly as expert management will be needed.
© Copyright 2024 doctortise.com. All Rights Reserved.