Suggest Treatment For Shingles In A Diabetic

Posted on Fri, 24 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 Answered on

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I am a 65 year old women with Type ! diabetes . I had Shingles approx. 10 years ago. Now I have this extreme itching on my scalp and have been told it was psoriasis I have no flaking or anything like that but sometimes it gets so intense it literally drives me nuts can you think of what could be causing this problem I would love to have some relief from this . Thank You

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Peripheral neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Psoriasis presents with flaking.
Only itch might be due to peripheral neuropathy which happens in diabetes.
I treat such cases with tablet methylcobalamine 1500 micro gram to be taken daily after breakfast for a month.
Apply a mild steroid lotion like desonide daily in night for a week.
If itch persists you can take an antihistamine tablet like cetrizine for a week.
Hope this helps you.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj