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Common Symptoms of Shingles You Should Know

HomeConditionsShingles

ByAgkidzone Staff
Updated: Oct 25, 2024

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Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Once someone recovers from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in their body, hiding out in the spinal nerves. Later in life, this virus can reactivate, leading to shingles. However, shingles and chickenpox present differently. Here’s an essential point to remember: shingles can only occur in individuals who have previously had chickenpox. If someone who has never had chickenpox comes into contact with the shingles virus, they’re more likely to develop chickenpox instead of shingles.

Risk Factors for Shingles
The exact reason the shingles virus reactivates isn’t fully understood. Still, we know that aging weakens the immune system, making older adults more susceptible. Younger individuals can also develop shingles if their immune system is weakened, often due to high stress. Health conditions like HIV or cancer, which compromise the immune system, increase the risk, as does long-term use of steroid medications. In other words, your immune health plays a significant role in whether or not the shingles virus wakes up.
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Systemic Symptoms of Shingles
Before the classic shingles rash appears, many people experience early warning symptoms. These systemic symptoms may include fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, and a burning feeling in the area where the rash will develop. Some individuals report numbness or itching in that area, while others become hypersensitive to touch. For some, these early symptoms can make them feel quite unwell, though others may experience no symptoms at all.
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Pain and Skin Rash
The most identifiable symptom of shingles is the rash. This rash typically stays in a specific area of the body, following the path of the nerve where the virus reactivates. The rash comes with intense pain and a burning sensation, eventually leading to blisters. These blisters can cover a small area or stretch over a broader region, depending on the person. After forming, the blisters will break and scab over, but the pain doesn’t always go away with the rash.
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Sensitivity to Touch
Another common symptom of shingles is increased sensitivity, especially around the area of the rash. Interestingly, this sensitivity often starts before the rash even appears and can linger after the blisters have healed. Many people describe the sensation as feeling like a bad sunburn. At times, this sensitivity can be so intense that it feels like an electric shock, making even the lightest touch uncomfortable.
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Post-Infection Pain
A frustrating aspect of shingles is that the pain can persist even after the rash is gone. This lingering pain can last for several months, but in some cases, it sticks around for a year or longer. This condition is called post-herpetic neuralgia, and it often includes continuous sensitivity, itching, or numbness alongside the pain. Unfortunately, this is one of the more challenging symptoms to manage, as it can significantly affect daily life.
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Diagnosis and Treatment
When shingles strikes, doctors typically prescribe antiviral medications to reduce the severity and duration of the illness. While these medications don’t cure shingles, they help control the symptoms. Pain can be intense, so doctors may also recommend numbing creams, painkillers, or nerve-blocking medications. Some natural remedies, like oatmeal baths, essential oils, or cold compresses, can also bring relief. The key is to manage the symptoms and make the person more comfortable as the virus runs its course.
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Vaccination for Shingles
There are vaccines available that can help prevent shingles, though they’re generally recommended for people over 60. The vaccine provides protection for about five years, but it doesn’t guarantee shingles won’t occur. If someone who has been vaccinated does develop shingles, the symptoms tend to be milder, and the illness doesn’t last as long. It’s important to note that the vaccine is for prevention and won’t help once shingles is already active. Pregnant women or those who’ve never had chickenpox should avoid getting the shingles vaccine.
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Other Conditions Similar to Shingles
Some conditions can look like shingles but aren’t the same. For example, allergic reactions like hives can cause an itchy, burning sensation, but without the telltale shingles blisters. Poison ivy, oak, or sumac can also cause blistering rashes, but they typically appear wherever the plant touched the skin. Another close relative is the herpes simplex virus, which also causes blisters. However, these usually occur on the mouth, nose, or genitals and tend to be less painful than shingles.
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Shingles Complications
Shingles can lead to complications, especially if the rash develops near the eyes. When shingles affect the eye area, it can damage the cornea, potentially leading to vision loss. This requires immediate, aggressive antiviral treatment. Other serious complications include facial paralysis, brain swelling, or hearing and balance issues. If the blisters become infected, antibiotics may be needed to treat the infection, both with pills and topical ointments.
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Is Shingles Contagious?
Unlike chickenpox, which is highly contagious and airborne, shingles is much less likely to spread. Shingles itself isn’t airborne, but the virus can still be contagious to people who’ve never had chickenpox or haven’t been vaccinated against it. In these cases, the person could develop chickenpox, not shingles. The virus can only spread through direct contact with the fluid from the shingles blisters. That’s why it’s essential to keep the rash covered and avoid contact with individuals who are vulnerable, such as infants or those with weakened immune systems.
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This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

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