Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 73-year-old female on no regular medications. I eat a healthful, balanced diet but sometimes indulge in pastries and candies, especially around the holidays, when I bake for my friends and family. I participate in senior water aerobics at my local community centre and try to walk every day.

I recently noticed a burning sensation on my face near my right eye. Within a day or so, my eyelid started swelling and became red and painful. I immediately called my physician and was seen that same day. I was diagnosed with shingles of the eye. The doctor gave me eye drops and pills to take every day.

She said because I had come in before the infection had taken a real hold, I should expect to get better within a few weeks. Thankfully, I did, but it was painful. Could you please tell me more about this condition? Should I get the shingles vaccine?

Reply: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is an outbreak of shingles that occurs around the eye and may involve the eye itself. Initially, the patient may experience pain or itching for up to a week before a rash appears. The rash consists of small blisters on the forehead and around the eye on one side of the face.

If the eye is involved, it often causes pain, redness and swelling of the lid, such as you experienced and may lead to permanent eye damage if left untreated. Fortunately, only 10 percent of patients with HZO develop infection in the eye rather than just around it.

The condition can be diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner or primary care physician, but he or she may be more comfortable referring care to an ophthalmologist.

Treatment is similar to that of shingles of the body. Antiviral medication is ordinarily prescribed to reduce pain and shorten the duration of symptoms. In the case of HZO, antiviral eye drops may be used in place of or in conjunction with the pills.

It is also important to rest and use over-the-counter pain medication when necessary. Cool compresses applied to the area may reduce swelling, pain and the rash.

Typical cases last a few weeks, but it may take longer to recover if there are complications. It is possible to pass the infection on to people you have contact with.

If they have not had chickenpox previously, it will manifest as such, but for those who have already had the first outbreak, shingles may develop.

The shingles vaccine may prevent recurrence, reduce the risk of permanent nerve damage and shorten the duration of symptoms if another outbreak is experienced, but there are no guarantees. Follow your physician's advice regarding vaccination.

Dear Dr. Gott: I would like to use the simple remedy of nail hardener on a few of my small skin tags.

Are there instructions or procedures regarding the application of the product?

How many coats should I use and how often? Should the area be covered following application? How long before the tags fall off?

Reply: The nail hardener should be applied to the tag once or twice daily. It does not need to be covered since the nail hardener will dry like nail polish does. It may take up to two weeks for the tag to fall off.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report 'Compelling Home Remedies'. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a cheque or money order for $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of 'Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet' and'Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook'. Contact him c/o United Media, 200 Madison Avenue, fourth floor, New York, New York 10016.