I fear for my eyes if shingles comes back on my face

I AM a 59-year-old female recovering from a nasty bout of shingles on the right side of my scalp and face. I’m concerned about sight in my right eye and hair loss. How do I lessen the likelihood of a recurrence?

SHINGLES is a recurrence of a viral infection that appears in the skin and affects a surprisingly large number of people. The lifetime risk of the condition is more than 25 per cent, with more people diagnosed over the age of 50.

While the rash itself usually lasts three weeks, it can leave permanent pain in the affected area (known as neuralgia).

Shingles can cause corneal and retinal inflammation and damage to the sight, so any hint of shingles affecting the eye should warrant urgent review by an eye health specialist.

Hair loss through scarring is very rare and unlikely.

A vaccine can be recommended for those who have already had shingles, and it can reduce the chance of recurrence and severity. The vaccination is offered as standard on the NHS to those over 70, but your GP may prescribe it. It is also available privately.

Shingles often appears when the body is run-down, so a healthy, balanced diet, good sleep and regular exercise will be beneficial. MY HUSBAND has been diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease at 61, and I’m worried. My GP suggested he should lose some weight (he is overweight) but I don’t know much about the condition. Is there anything else that may help? PERIPHERAL arterial disease (PAD) is rarely discussed, despite up to a fifth of adults over 60 having some degree of the condition. It is caused by a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply the legs, in the same way that ‘furred-up’ arteries cause heart disease.

Symptoms include calf cramps when walking longish distances and night pain, particularly in the feet. Relief usually comes from hanging the feet out of bed.

In all smokers, quitting will undoubtedly help. Most people who develop PAD have smoked either regularly or historically, and smoking frequency appears to be proportional to the severity of the condition.

Symptoms decrease dramatically within a year of quitting.

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure, lowering cholesterol through diet and avoiding type 2 diabetes will all help to prevent worsening of the condition. If overweight, weight loss is key to achieve these aims.

A GP may also suggest bloodpressure and cholesterolreducing medication.