Stress of Car Accidents Cause Shingles
Car accidents are stressful situations that can impact you physically, emotionally, and financially. The amount of stress car accidents cause can weaken the immune system, causing conditions like shingles. Shingles is a painful rash that can last for weeks.
If you developed shingles because of stress after a car accident, an attorney can help you seek damages. Compensation in your case could account for your medical treatment costs, as well as your pain and suffering.
What Is Shingles?
Mayo Clinic reports that shingles is a painful rash caused by a viral infection. It can occur anywhere on your body, though it commonly wraps around either side of the torso. The same virus that causes shingles causes chickenpox.
Receiving early treatment for shingles can reduce the risk of complications. A common complication of shingles is experiencing pain long after the blisters have cleared.
Symptoms of shingles include:
- Pain
- Skin sensitivity
- A rash that begins shortly after the pain starts
- Blisters
- Itchy skin
- Chills
- Fevers
- Headaches
- Upset stomach
Causes of Shingles
The leading cause of shingles is the varicella-zoster virus. Once someone has chicken pox, the virus is dormant in the body and can come back as shingles. Shingles most commonly occurs in older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
According to the American Psychological Association, stress weakens your immune system’s responses. This prevents the body from fighting the virus that causes shingles.
Treatments for Shingles
If you developed shingles after a car accident, a doctor can examine your condition and explain your treatment options, which may include:
- Antiviral medications
- Over-the-counter lotions or prescription pain medications
- Antibiotics (if any of the blisters become infected)
Treatment can shorten the length and severity of shingles. It is helpful to start treating shingles as soon as possible because, over time, the condition can worsen and lead to other health complications.
How Are Car Accidents Related to Shingles?
Frontiers in Psychology reports that traffic accidents can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition can cause flashbacks, anxiety, and depression. However, it can also affect the immune system and how it fights against illnesses.
Current Opinion in Pharmacology notes that stress affects how cells communicate, how the brain sends and receives messages, and other vital functions. It also affects pathways in both the neurological and immune systems.
When someone develops PTSD from a car accident, their body suffers more than physical, external injuries. It can become “off guard” when fighting certain ailments, such as shingles and various autoimmune disorders.
What Should I Do if I Developed Shingles After a Car Accident?
You may have concerns about developing shingles in the aftermath of a serious car accident. You may have already developed this condition and wonder what to do now. In addition to seeking a professional opinion, you should also do everything possible to reduce your stress.
This may involve:
- Speaking to a counselor or therapist: A counselor or therapist can listen to what happened during the accident. Sometimes, telling someone about the accident and receiving empathy can alleviate the stress associated with it.
- Staying active: Your body releases endorphins when you exercise. Even going for a few short walks each day can help your body combat shingles.
- Getting back to your normal routine: Suffering harm in a car accident can throw off your day-to-day habits. Getting back to your routine can help you feel like yourself again.
- Taking time off work. You shouldn’t have to force yourself to attend work while dealing with a painful condition. You should take this time to focus on your physical and emotional well-being.
You should also consider partnering with a lawyer after your collision. By entrusting your legal matters to a professional, you can focus on recovering from your condition. A Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers can investigate your case, consult with your healthcare team, and pursue what you need.
Connect with Our Team To Explore Your Legal Options
If the stress of a car accident caused you to develop shingles, our firm can help. A Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney can review the details of your accident and pursue financial recovery. Compensation in your case could account for your healthcare expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. To learn more, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270. We offer free case reviews where we can discuss your situation.
