Integumentary Disorders

Integumentary Disorders Timby Ch. 65 ATI Ch. 82 Herpes Zoster (Shingles) • Develops years after a varicella infection • Mostly affects middle age to older adults and immunocompromised persons Pathophysiology • Acute reactivation of varicella –zoster virus • Produces inflammatory responses in the dermatome • If affects the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve corneal ulcerations can occur. • If affects the vestibulocochlear nerve vertigo and hearing loss can occur. • CONTAGIOUS until crusts from the ruptured lesions have dried and fallen off. • Infections can reoccur • Diagnosis is primarily made by assessment of lesions. • In clinical environment client requires which isolation? Clinical Manifestations • Low grade fever • Malaise • Red blotchy appearance to skin over dermatome area • May be itchy or numb • 24-48 hrs. vesicles appear over nerve pathway • Eruptions are typically unilateral • Become severely painful and itchy • Postherpetic neuralgia may last for months or up to 2 yrs