Shingles Symptoms

Shingles can affect many parts of the body because it migrates along the nerve paths. The first symptoms of shingles are often sensitivity or pain in a band on one side of the body. This band can have itching, tingling, burning, aching or deep shooting pain sensations.

After 1-3 days of this pain, a rash can appear. This shingles rash can have raised, red bumps and blisters in the same band as the pain. They fill with puss and then scab over between 10-24 days after the nerve pain has begun.

The rash does disappear as the scabs fall off although scarring may occur. Scarring is more prevalent in those shingles sufferers who have scratched the itchy rash. The scabs of shingles typically fall off 2-3 weeks after the rash has formed.

All together, shingles can last from under a month to well over a month and a half or more. Shingles can also migrate along several nerve paths and occur in more than one area. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox has the possibility to get shingles and 20% of people who get shingles are likely to develop post herpectic neuralgia or PHN. PHN is long-term nerve pain that can last for several months, even years, after the shingles outbreak.

This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. For more information or a diagnoses, please contact your health care professional.