Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, is a painful and blistering rash caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Varicella-zoster is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After the chickenpox resolves, the virus stays dormant in your body, usually in the nerves that control sensation to your skin.

When the virus reactivates, it travels down sensory nerves causing a band or line of painful, itchy blisters that usually appear on one side of the body, often around the waist or chest. Other common locations include forehead, nose, around one eye, arm, or hand. Shingles may occur with fevers, headaches, chills and muscle aches. These symptoms usually go away within a few weeks, but the painful rash can last for several weeks or months before it resolves.

Treatment for shingles includes antiviral medication to shorten healing time and decrease the severity of symptoms. Pain relief medications may also be prescribed for the itching and burning sensations. In addition, medicated creams, oral antibiotics, and anti-itch medications may be necessary.

The good news is that most people recover from shingles without complications. However, some people develop a condition calledpost-herpetic neuralgia where pain persists after the rash is gone. If left untreated, this can last for months or even years.

If you think that you have shingles, it is important to contact your doctor right away. Early treatment with antiviral medications can help reduce the duration of the disease and the certainty of complications. The shingles vaccine is recommended for people who are 60 years or older to reduce the risk of developing the disease, as well as lessen its intensity and duration if it does occur.

Shingles can be painful and uncomfortable, but with the proper treatment and management, it can be managed effectively. By taking the necessary precautions and being alerted to symptoms, you can reduce your chances of developing shingles and its serious complications.