What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful skin rash. It's caused by the varicella zoster virus. Shingles usually appears in a band, a strip, or a small area on one side of the face or body. It's also called herpes zoster.
Shingles is most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who get shingles will get better and won't get it again. But it's possible to get shingles more than once.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
Shingles symptoms happen in stages. At first you may have a headache or be sensitive to light. You may also have flu-like symptoms without a fever.
Later you may feel itching, tingling, or pain in a certain area. That's where a small area of rash may occur a few days later. It can appear anywhere on the body, but on only the left or the right side of the body. Piercing pain may occur along with the skin rash.
The rash turns into clusters of blisters. The blisters fill with fluid and then crust over. It takes 2 to 4 weeks for the blisters to heal, and they may leave scars. Some people get no rash at all.
Sometimes postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) develops. Symptoms can include pain or sensitivity to touch. PHN may last for months or years.
How is shingles diagnosed?
Doctors can usually diagnose shingles when they see an area of rash on the left or right side of your body. If the diagnosis isn't clear, your doctor may order tests on cells from a blister. If your doctor thinks that you have shingles, your doctor may not wait for tests before treating you.
How is shingles treated?
Shingles is treated with medicines. These medicines include antiviral medicines and medicines for pain. Treatment may shorten the illness and prevent other problems caused by shingles.
See your doctor right away if you think you may have shingles. Starting antiviral medicine right away can help your rash heal faster and be less painful. And you may need prescription pain medicine if your case of shingles is very painful. It's important to see your doctor right away if you have shingles near your eye or nose. Treatment can help prevent lasting eye damage.
How can you care for yourself when you have shingles?
- Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. Antiviral medicine helps you get better faster.
- Try not to scratch or pick at the blisters.
- Keep the blisters moist until they heal over. One way to do this is to cover them with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Avoid close contact with people until the blisters have healed. It is very important for you to avoid contact with anyone who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. Young babies and anyone who is pregnant or has a hard time fighting infection (such as someone with HIV, diabetes, or cancer) are especially at risk.
Shingles in children: When to call
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has a new or higher fever.
- Your child has a headache or stiff neck.
- Your child loses the ability to think clearly.
- The rash spreads to your child's forehead, nose, eyes, or eyelids.
- Your child has eye pain, or their vision gets worse.
- Your child has new pain in their face, or they cannot move the muscles in their face.
- Blisters spread to new parts of your child's body.
- Your child has symptoms of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- The rash has not healed after 2 to 4 weeks.
- Your child still has pain after the rash has healed.
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