Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Sometimes, in patients with a history of chickenpox, the virus may live in the nervous system for years in an inactive form, and then reactivate as shingles.
Risk factors of shingles
If patients have had a history of chickenpox, the risk of reactivation of the chickenpox virus as shingles include the following:
What are the signs and symptoms of shingles?
Shingles typically occurs over one side of the face or body. The common signs and symptoms may include
- Pain (usually the first symptom in shingles and can vary in intensity)
- Burning sensation, numbness, tingling or itching
- Raised red rash, which usually appears a few days after the pain
- Multiple blisters which appear in a stripe or a cluster pattern
- The blisters contain fluid and they break open with crusting
- Fever, chills, fatigue and body ache
- Headache
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light; especially if rash is around the forehead)
- Fatigue
How does shingles rash appear?
The typical red shingles rash and blisters follow pain, itching and tingling. The rash is usually limited to one side of the face and body.
Shingles on the face, scalp, mouth and ear
- Rash and shingles blisters appear on one side of the face, extending to the scalp and ear.
- If the rash involves the ear, it can lead to hearing loss, imbalance and weakness of the facial muscles.
- Shingles rash on the scalp causes pain while combing and bald patches.
- Shingles can occur in the mouth, which is usually very painful, causing pain while eating and change in taste.
Shingles of the eye and forehead
- Rash and blisters appear around the eye, over the eyelids, once side of the forehead, extending to the tip of the nose.
- Patients complain of burning or throbbing in the eye, with watering of eyes, swelling and blurred vision.
- The pain may be present after the rash disappears due to nerve damage, but improves eventually. Without treatment, shingles of the eye and forehead can lead to corneal damage and vision loss.
Shingles on the waist and back
- Rashes and blistering appear over one side of the waist and the back in a stripe pattern, extending up to the lower back.
Shingles on the buttocks
- Shingles rash and blisters over the buttocks, usually on one side.
SLIDESHOW
What Causes Shingles? See SlideshowHow is shingles treated?
Treatment is most effective when begun within 72 hours of the appearance of rash. Antiviral drugs (Acyclovir, Valacyclovir etc) can help you recover faster and reduce the risk of complications.
Shingles rash and blisters can cause severe pain that over-the-counter pain medication cannot control.
Treatment of pain includes:
- Anti-seizure medicines (Pregabalin)
- Antidepressants
- Cool compresses
- Medicated lotions to reduce pain and itching (Diphenhydramine lotion)
- Numbing creams (lidocaine gel)
- Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Prescription painkillers like codeine for intense pain
Prevention: Vaccines are available against varicella zoster virus to prevent chickenpox and shingles.
What are complications of shingles?
Shingles can have complications that last long after the rash is gone. Complications can also occur if the infection has not been treated appropriately:
- Facial nerve paralysis (if rash involves face)
- Loss of vision (if rash involves eyes)
- Postherpetic neuralgia (Pain that lasts long after the infection resolves)
- Loss of hearing and balance problems
- Inflammation of the brain in case of HIV and transplant patients
- Bacterial infection of the skin causing increased swelling, redness, warmth, pain, tenderness and pus formation.
Latest Infectious Disease News
Daily Health News
More Health News »Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Top What Causes You to Get Shingles Related Articles
acyclovir, Zovirax
Acyclovir (Zovirax) is an antiviral drug prescribed to treat genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. Side effects drug interactions, dosing, storage, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
What's the Difference Between Chickenpox and Shingles?
Learn about the differences between chickenpox and shingles and how these two diseases are connected.
How Long Is Shingles Contagious and How Is It Treated?
Learn what medical treatments can ease your shingles symptoms and help you manage this condition.
Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Shingles symptoms and signs include skin burning, numbness, and tingling along with a painful red, blistering rash. Shingles is contagious until all of the blisters have crusted over.
Lyrica (pregabalin) vs. Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Lyrica (pregabalin) and Cymbalta (duloxetine) are used to treat neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia. Lyrica is also used in combination with other drugs to treat partial onset seizures in adults. Cymbalta is also used to treat depression and anxiety disorder.
Lyrica (pregabalin)
Lyrica (pregabalin) is a drug prescribed for the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or post neuralgia; partial onset seizures in adults; and fibromyalgia. Side effects include
- blurred vision,
- double vision (diplopia),
- weight gain,
- fatigue (tiredness),
- constipation,
- increased appetite,
- nausea, and
- intestinal gas.
Drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy and breastfeeding safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
Shingles
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. Other shingles symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and body aches. Treatment focuses on pain management and shortening the duration of the illness with antiviral medications.
Shingles Quiz
Shingles falls within a well-known family of viruses that cause itching, burning, blisters, and pain. Take the Shingles Quiz to get the facts, causes, symptoms, and treatments for this itchy, painful condition.
What Happens When You Get Shingles When Pregnant?
Becoming infected with chickenpox during pregnancy could cause birth defects in your unborn child. Likewise, shingles could also cause problems for your unborn child. If you are pregnant and haven't had chickenpox, avoid exposure to infected people. Zostavax, the shingles vaccine, can reduce the incidence of shingles by half. Women should wait at least three months after receiving the vaccine before trying to get pregnant.
Shingles Pictures
An acute infection caused by the herpes zoster virus, the same virus as causes chickenpox. See a picture of Shingles and learn more about the health topic.
Shingles
Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox, re-emerges due to a weakened immune system. Tingling may occur before herpes zoster blisters appear, usually on the side of the body. The shingles vaccine can boost the immune system to lower the risk of shingles outbreaks.
Shingles Myths and Facts
There are some common misconceptions about this viral illness and the uncomfortable rash it can cause. Here's a guide through the myths and facts of shingles.
Skin Problems: Rosacea, Acne, Shingles, Covid-19 Rashes
Learn to spot and treat skin conditions commonly found in adults such as acne, Covid-19 rashes, eczema, shingles, psoriasis, rosacea, hives, cold sores, razor bumps, athlete's foot, and more dermatology details.
What Triggers a Shingles Outbreak?
Shingles occur when the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox, reactivates in the body, usually due to a weakened immune system. Learn about the symptoms of shingles and how you can treat them.