The same virus that cause chickenpox remains inactive in certain nerves in the body after the chickenpox. This virus can suddenly become active again if for instance your immune system is weakened or you are taking some types of medications or you come down with some disease.
Let's try to see if you have shingles.
It is not easy to know if you have shingles before the actual outbreak of the rash.
The first sign of Shingles is usually a painful, burning or an itchy feeling on a single side of the body.
This sensation may last from two to three days.
It is usually present before any rash appears.
If this is all you are experiencing right now, look out for red patches on the skin followed by small blisters forming at any time (especially in the same area of the pain), tingling or burning sensation.
If you already have the rash, let's continue.
The discussions from here on would assume you have a skin rash or something similar.
Let's continue to see what else we are working with.
Symptoms of shingles include rash after:
Here is why:
Symptoms usually begin with pain along the affected areas on one side of the body, followed in 2 to 3 days by red patches of the skin which quickly develop blisters on them. This is usually diagnostic.
To reduce complications, treatment has to be started early with antiviral and possibly steroids within 24 hours of feeling pain or burning, and preferably before the blisters appear.
If it is more than 72 hours of the blister appearing, then this treatment is unlikely to be effective.
Here is why:
Would you like to see the nearest urgent care facility or Continue?
Here is why:
Would you like to see the nearest urgent care clinic or Continue?
Or do you think you should seek urgent care from the discussions so far?
Around the eyes:
This can lead to painful eye infections, immediate or delayed vision impairment or blindness. If you have Shingles in these areas, you should see an ophthalmologist immediately.
Around the ears:
This can lead to hearing loss or a disease called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, in which facial nerves become paralyzed. Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause hearing and balance problems. Muscles on the affected side of the face becomes weakened.
In this case the virus has infected the facial nerve near the inner ear.
If you have painful blisters in or around your ear, I will consider this a medical emergency.
Chances of recovery are better if the treatment is started within 3 days of when the symptoms begin. 70% of patients will make a full recovery if started at this time. However, if after 3 days, this drops to about 50%.
So the more severe the damage, the longer it will take to recover and the lower the chance that you will get normal again.
Here is why:
You should suspect Shingles or at least see a doctor if any of these is applicable to you:
Take this seriously especially if you have difficulty moving some of the muscles in the face.
Here is why:
Here is why:
You should suspect shingles or at least see a doctor if any of these is applicable to you:
Here is why:
You should suspect shingles or at least see a doctor if any of these is applicable to you:
Here is why:
You should suspect shingles or at least see a doctor if any of these is applicable to you:
Here is why:
You should suspect shingles or at least see a doctor if most of these apply to you:
Here is why:
You should suspect shingles or at least see a doctor if any of these is applicable to you:
If you suspect shingles, see a doctor as soon as possible by going to the nearest urgent care clinic or emergency room. Don't try to ride it out.
Suspect shingles if any of these apply to you:
Would you like to see the nearest urgent care facility to you?
Nothing over the counter will take care of this.