Shingles is a painful, usually itchy, rash that develops on one side of the face or body. The rash consists of blisters that typically scab
over in 7 to 10 days and fully clear up within 2 to 4 weeks.
About 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles, also known as herpes zoster, in their lifetime. An estimated 1
million people get shingles each year in this country. If you’ve ever
had chickenpox, you can get shingles. Even children can get shingles.
Your risk of shingles increases as you get older.
Early signs
People can have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash will develop. This can happen several days before the rash appears.
People can also have a fever before the rash appears.
Most common symptoms
The rash most commonly occurs in a single stripe around the left or the right side of the body. The rash can also occur on one side of the
face. Shingles on the face can affect the eye and cause vision loss. The
rash can be more widespread on the body and look similar to a
chickenpox rash. This is very rare and usually occurs in people with
weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of shingles can also include
- Headache
- Chills
- Upset stomach
Prevention
Recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) is the recommended vaccine to prevent shingles and related complications. For information about
vaccination recommendations see Shingles Vaccination.
Treatment
Several antiviral medicines are available to treat shingles:
- Acyclovir (ay-sah-EE-kluh-veer)
- Valacyclovir (va-luh-sah-EE-kluh-veer)
- Famciclovir (fam-sah-EE-kluh-veer)
These medicines shorten the length and severity of the illness. They work best when you take them as soon as possible after the rash appears.
If you think you have shingles, contact your doctor as soon as possible
to talk about treatment.
Pain relief medicine may help with the pain caused by shingles. This can be over the counter or a prescription from your doctor. Wet
compresses, calamine lotion, and warm oatmeal baths may help relieve
itching.
Sources:
