What Is shingles?
Shingles is a common skin condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The virus causes inflammation of the nerve cells in your spinal cord, and this can lead to shingles.
Shingles most commonly affects people over 50 years old, but it can occur at any age.
There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments available that can reduce its severity and help prevent future outbreaks.
What Does Shingles Look Like?
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful, blistering rash. The rash usually appears on one side of the body, often in a band or strip. It can occur anywhere on the body.
The rash usually starts as a red patch on one side of your body and spreads rapidly to other parts of the skin. It may be painful, and it may itch intensely.
What Causes Shingles?
Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). The virus attacks the nerves in your skin, and this can cause shingles.
The virus remains dormant in specialized nerve cells for many years. However, it can reactivate later in life and cause shingles. The virus moves along sensory nerve fibers from the central nervous system down to the nerve endings in the skin. Once there, it quickly multiplies and causes the characteristic blistering rash that is often seen with shingles.
The risk of developing shingles increases with age and can be triggered by anything that taxes the immune system, such as illness or stress. The chickenpox vaccine can help prevent shingles, so it’s important to get vaccinated if you’re eligible.
What are the Symptoms of Shingles?
The symptoms of shingles can vary from person to person, but they usually include a rash and pain in the skin. The fever may be mild or moderate.
Rashes may occur anywhere on the body – including the face, neck, chest, arms and legs – but are most commonly found on the torso (upper back and front) and extremities (wrists and hands).
They usually start as red patches that itch intensely before spreading explosively in all directions over several days to weeks; however some people experience only small rashes at first that evolve into bigger ones during later stages of infection.
Shingles can cause severe pain if it spreads to other parts of your body such as your spine or brain where nerve cells are located; this is why it’s important for people with shingles to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The symptoms of shingles can include skin sensitivity, tingling, itching, and/or pain in the area of the skin before the rash appears. The rash typically appears after 1 to 5 days once symptoms begin and initially looks like small, red spots that turn into blisters. Blisters typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clear up within 2 to 4 weeks.
Other early symptoms of shingles may include: stomach upset, feeling ill, fever and/or chills, headache. The symptoms of shingles affect the nerves and the skin.
How Is Shingles Diagnosed?
Shingles is diagnosed by a doctor based on the person’s symptoms and medical history.
The doctor will ask questions about the person’s health, including whether they’ve had any other skin infections or problems in the past.
The doctor may also do a physical exam to check for signs of shingles.
Shingles is usually diagnosed within three months after it occurs, but it can take up to six weeks for all of the lesions to be seen.
There are no tests that can confirm shingles diagnosis other than a clinical examination.
How Is Shingles Treated?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best treatment for shingles will vary depending on the individual’s situation. However, some general tips that may help include:
- Taking pain relief medication as prescribed by a doctor
- Rest and relaxation
- Avoiding stress and chilling out excessively
- Drinking plenty of fluids (especially water)
- Apply ice packs or cold compresses to painful areas
- Elevate feet if possible (this can help relieve pressure on nerves)
Shingles Treatment: Antiviral Medication
Oral antiviral drugs are one way to treat the virus. Antivirals work by stopping the virus from multiplying. This can help to lessen the symptoms and reduce nerve damage.
Shingles Treatment: Steroids
Steroids may also be prescribed if the rash affects your eyes or other parts of your face. These can help to reduce inflammation and pain associated with shingles.
If you think you have shingles, it is important to talk with your doctor immediately so that you can receive the appropriate treatment.
Shingles Treatment: Rash Relief
Rashes can be treated with over-the-counter medications or creams. If the rash is mild, you may only need to apply an over-the-counter ointment or cream to the affected area several times a day. If the rash is more severe, you may need to see a doctor.
What are the Complications of Shingles?
The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is a chronic pain condition that lasts for more than six months after the person has had shingles. PHN can be severe and debilitating.
Other complications of shingles include:
- Epilepsy: About 1 in 100 people who get shingles will develop an epilepsy episode after having the disease. This occurs in about 2% to 5% of people who have recurrent episodes of herpes zoster.
- Sudden death: About 1 in 500 people who get shingles will die from it within two years. Death may occur due to pneumonia, sepsis, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA). In rare cases, death may be due to other causes such as heart attack or stroke.
- Blindness: Approximately 1 in 2000 people who get shingles will develop blindness as a complication of the disease.
- Miscarriage: About 1 in 2000 people who get shingles will have a miscarriage as a complication of the disease.
When Should I See A Doctor?
When should I see a doctor?
It’s important to consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Shingles pain or itching
- A rash that lasts for more than two weeks
- A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Blistering or oozing from the skin anywhere on the body
If you have any other questions about your health, please contact your physician.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?
If you have any concerns about shingles, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Questions about the appearance, symptoms, and causes of shingles can help them determine if you need further treatment or not.
Your doctor will also be able to provide advice on how best to prevent future cases of shingles.
What questions should I ask my doctor about shingles?
- What is the most effective way to treat shingles?
- What is the risk of shingles becoming widespread?
- What are the symptoms of shingles?
- Can I get chickenpox after having shingles?
- What are the possible causes of shingles?
- What are the treatments for shingles?
- How can I prevent shingles from occurring?
- What are the risks associated with shingles?
What Does Shingles Feel and Look Like?
Early Symptoms May Include:
The early symptoms of shingles can include a headache, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area. You may also feel unwell. These symptoms usually appear 2 to 3 days before a rash breaks out.
Additional Symptoms That May or May Not Accompany the Rash:
Other symptoms associated with shingles are fever, headache, muscle aches, stomach pain and vomiting. These may or may not accompany the rash.
Shingles Symptoms: Before the Rash
You may experience symptoms of shingles before the characteristic rash appears. These can include headaches, sensitivity to light, difficulty thinking clearly, dizziness, and weakness. You may also develop a rash that initially appears in one area of your body or face. The rash will eventually turn into a cluster of blisters that are filled with fluid.
Shingles Blisters
The shingles virus causes a painful, itchy rash that can form on one side of the body. The most common symptom is a stripe of blisters that wrap around either the left or right side of the body. The rash is often accompanied by fever, headache, and fatigue.
Pain relievers, anti-itch creams, and cool compresses can help with the pain and itching. Antiviral drugs may also be prescribed to help shorten the duration of the rash.
Scabbing and Crusting
Once the blisters associated with shingles have formed, they will begin to dry out. The fluid that has leaked from the blisters will form a crust over the rash. This crust will gradually disappear over the course of a few weeks.
The Shingles “Belt”
The shingles belt is a strip of skin that is covered in a rash. The rash is usually only on one side of the body, and it can be quite uncomfortable. The shingles belt is easily recognizable as a band of rash that covers a wide area on one side of your midsection. If you have the shingles, you may find tight clothing to be particularly uncomfortable.
Widespread Shingles
If you have a weakened immune system, you are more likely to develop widespread shingles. This is because your body cannot fight off the virus as well. The rash may look more like chickenpox than shingles. Chickenpox and shingles are caused by the same virus, so the rash may have similar characteristics. However, chickenpox usually affects children and is much less severe than shingles.
Shingles or Something Else?
Shingles refers to a group of infections that share some common features but have different names and symptoms. Chickenpox-related herpes zoster (CHHZ) is the most common type of shingle. It’s caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) occurs after you get shingles and is a type of chronic pain that can last for years. New onset juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare but serious condition that causes thick, red patches on the skin.
Differentiating Between Shingles and Other Types of Rashes
Shingles Rash Vs. Herpes
- Shingles is a skin rash that most often occurs in older people, while herpes is a virus that can cause cold sores or genital herpes.
- Shingles is caused by the reactivation of a dormant varicella zoster virus infection. Herpes is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which can be spread through skin-to-skin contact, sexual activity, or sharing of saliva or other secretions.
- Shingles usually has one or two painful blisters that develop on one side of the body and then peel off within a few days. Herpes outbreaks are more widespread and may last weeks to months.
- Shingles rash is a disease that causes a red, itchy rash on one or more body parts.
- Herpes is a virus that can cause cold sores and other types of genital rashes.
Shingles Rash Vs. Poison Ivy
- Poison ivy exposure can cause a quick-forming rash on the exposed areas (shown on a lighter skin tone). Abm6868, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- When the rash appears, it often appears as a straight line.
- One way to distinguish between the two conditions is that poison ivy often appears on exposed areas of skin and on both sides of the body.
- Shingles can be painful and can last up to two weeks, while poison ivy may only cause redness and swelling.
- There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments available for poison ivy such as topical creams and oral medications.
- Shingles rash is a skin rash that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
- Poison ivy is a type of skin rash that can be caused by several plants and fungi, including oak, sumac, and poison ivy.
- Shingles rash is more common in people over 50 years old, while poison ivy can affect anyone.
Who’s at Risk for Shingles?
Shingles is most common in people who have had chickenpox.
People over 50 are more likely to develop shingles than younger people, and people with a weakened immune system are especially at risk.
Shingles Vaccine
There are two types of shingles vaccines: Zostavax and Shingrix.
Shingrix is a new vaccine for adults age 50 and older to prevent shingles (herpes zoster). Shingrix is given as a single dose in two doses, at least 2 months apart.
Shingrix is a newer vaccine than Zostavax, which was licensed in 2006. Both vaccines are made from a live, weakened virus called varicella zoster.
Who Should Not Get the Vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is safe for most people, but there are some exceptions. People who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not receive the vaccine because it could harm their baby.
Children under 18 years old should also not receive the vaccine because they may be more likely to experience side effects from it.
People with a weakened immune system should avoid getting vaccinated because it could make their condition worse.
Chickenpox Vaccine and Shingles
The chickenpox vaccine is used to help prevent chickenpox, which is a common childhood illness that can later develop into shingles if not properly treated. The CDC is urging people who have been diagnosed with shingles to receive the chickenpox vaccine as soon as possible to help prevent any further outbreaks. The chickenpox vaccine helps protect against chickenpox and may also help reduce the risk of developing shingles later in life.
Treatment: Antiviral Medication
Antiviral medication is not always necessary for children who have shingles, unless they have a weakened immune system. In cases where children are at risk of developing complications from shingles, they may be given antiviral medication directly into a vein (intravenously). This can help them recover faster and reduce the risk of complications.
Shingles rash and blisters can cause severe pain. Treatment of pain includes over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, prescription painkillers such as codeine for intense pain, cool compresses, medicated lotions to reduce pain and itching, and numbing creams.
A vaccine is available against the varicella-zoster virus to prevent chickenpox and shingles.
Treatment: Rash Relief
Shingles is a painful condition that causes a rash on the body. There is no cure for shingles, but there are treatments that can help relieve pain and aid in healing. These include painkillers, antiviral drugs, creams and lotions to relieve itching, and cool compresses to reduce swelling. In severe cases, steroids may also be prescribed. People with shingles should avoid contact with people who have chickenpox as this could spread the virus.
