See a Doctor for Shingles in Sultanahmet: Video Visit and Prescription, Day or Night
Unwell with shingles in Sultanahmet? Our 24/7 on-call doctor assesses you online, explains your options and sends your e-prescription to a pharmacy in Istanbul.
Quick facts
| Languages | Physician fluent in three languages |
|---|---|
| Condition | Shingles |
| Includes | Advice and e-prescription if suitable |
| Service | Video visit, hotel visit in selected areas |
| Location | Sultanahmet, Istanbul |
| Best for | Holidaymakers and long-stay guests |
| Availability | Around the clock |
How shingles feels
- Pain that may continue after the rash heals
- Burning or tingling pain on one side of the body
- Itching
- Fever and tiredness
- A rash of blisters in a band
Causes and risk factors
After chickenpox the varicella-zoster virus stays dormant in nerves; older age, stress and a weak immune system make it more likely to flare.
About shingles
Shingles is a painful blistering rash caused by the chickenpox virus becoming active again in people who have had chickenpox.
Shingles in Sultanahmet: what to know locally
Sultanahmet holds the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, so queues and miles of walking in the heat are the norm. Long walking days, heat and crowds can slow recovery, so build in rest and shade and tell the physician how your days are going.
Travel guide to Sultanahmet
In antiquity this peninsula was Byzantium, later Constantinople. Tourist tip: allow a full day for Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace, then shop the Grand Bazaar for carpets, lamps and ceramics. Evening Bosphorus cruises start nearby.
For visitors from the UK, Australia, the US and New Zealand
- No language barrier: Dr. Yasbala consults in English, so you can describe symptoms naturally.
- Emergency number: dial 112 in Turkey, not 999, 000, 111 or 911.
- Medicine names differ: paracetamol is called acetaminophen in the US, and brands in Turkey differ from home. Tell the doctor what you normally take, or send a photo of the packet.
- Insurance: check your travel policy before treatment and keep the invoice and prescription we send you.
- Any time zone: the on-demand doctor is available 24/7, whatever the time is back home.
Avoiding shingles on holiday
Ask your doctor about the shingles vaccine if you are eligible, manage stress and avoid contact with others while blisters are present.
Treatment options for shingles in Sultanahmet
Treatment works best within about three days of the rash. A prompt video visit lets the doctor confirm it and prescribe antiviral medicine and pain relief where suitable. Depending on your case, the doctor may suggest antiviral tablets such as aciclovir or valaciclovir, plus painkillers.
- Cover blisters with a non-stick dressing
- Keep the rash clean and dry
- Use simple painkillers as directed on the pack
- Avoid contact with pregnant women, babies and anyone who has not had chickenpox
How it works: shingles care in Sultanahmet
- Tell us on WhatsApp where in Sultanahmet you are and what is bothering you.
- Speak to the on-demand doctor by video, who assesses your symptoms.
- Receive an e-prescription by WhatsApp or email if treatment is appropriate.
- Collect your medicine from a pharmacy in Sultanahmet.
- Ask us for a medical report and invoice for your insurance.
Life-threatening symptoms need an ambulance: dial 112 in Turkey. Online doctors cannot prescribe controlled substances.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get shingles treatment in Sultanahmet?
Yes, you can. Speak to the doctor online at any hour; if treatment is suitable you receive an e-prescription valid at pharmacies in Sultanahmet.
When should I see a doctor in person for shingles?
Seek urgent in-person care for a rash near the eye or on the face, severe pain, a weak immune system, a widespread rash, confusion or fever.
Will my travel insurance cover shingles treatment?
That depends on your policy. Ask your insurer before the visit, keep the invoice and the medical report and send them together for a claim.
What can I do at home for shingles?
Keep the rash clean and dry. Cover blisters with a non-stick dressing. Use simple pain relief as directed on the pack.
Is shingles common among visitors to Sultanahmet?
Long days of walking and crowded transport in Sultanahmet mean shingles is a frequent request from visitors.
Can children be assessed for shingles online?
Many children can be assessed by video. Infants and anyone who looks very unwell should be examined face to face.
Which languages does the doctor speak?
Dr. Elif Yasbala consults in English, German and Turkish.
Related health problems in Sultanahmet
Sultanahmet through the year
Visitors to Sultanahmet in any season walk a lot: expect sore feet, blisters and the odd sprain, and in winter, colds.
References
- NHS. Shingles
Reviewed by Dr. Elif Yasbala, MD. This page is for information and is not a substitute for a medical consultation.
What We Treat in Sultanahmet
Shingles treatment in other places in Istanbul
Read the full guide to shingles · Medical help in Sultanahmet