{"id":1013,"date":"2017-06-30T05:36:18","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T05:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1013"},"modified":"2021-03-12T19:26:21","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T19:26:21","slug":"15-common-symptoms-shingles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-common-symptoms-shingles\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Most Common Symptoms of Shingles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Shingles is also referred to as Herpes zoster and is a form of infection that affects individual nerves and the skin surrounding them. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, called the varicella-zoster virus. It is thought that one in four people will experience this condition at some point in their life, making an estimated 1 million cases of shingles every year in the US, so it\u2019s useful to understand what this condition is and how you can identify the problems when they arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what causes shingles? Usually there is no known \u2018cause\u2019 for the varicella-zoster virus to begin multiplying. It is believed though that it is more common during times of stress, tiredness or illness however when the immune system is likely to be suppressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is currently no known way to completely cure shingles. However, there are numerous known methods for managing the symptoms and making them less unpleasant and it is also a self-limiting condition, meaning that it will \u2018cure itself\u2019 given time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we will look at the most common shingles symptoms so that you can identify the condition and seek the correct management methods to help ease them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.  Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The number one symptom of shingles is of course the rash<\/a>, which is what most people will envisage when they hear the word \u2018shingles\u2019. However, this normally does not begin right away and instead you will usually feel some pain and discomfort prior to the rash becoming visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This pain is normally an acute, localized numbness and tingling. This will be found on a specific part of the body. Remember, the infection is affecting a specific nerve, and so the symptoms will be felt where that nerve is located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commonly, they are felt on the back. However, it might also be noticed down one side of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.  Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the pain might precede the rash, a rash will normally appear within 1-5 days. When this does occur, the rash will appear on either one side of the body, on a specific patch or across the back. You might notice that the rash appears worse in specific clusters, which correspond with nerve pathways beneath the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This rash often looks a lot like chickenpox<\/a>. However, the main difference is that while chicken pox will appear across the entire body, this rash will only appear in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that it is also possible to experience shingles but without a rash. In this case, it is not varicella zoster virus but rather zoster sine herpete. This is uncommon and it is much harder to diagnose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the other symptoms are the same and fortunately, this version of the condition is much rarer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>3.  Shooting Pains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As well as the general numbness, tingling and pain that can occur on the skin or the limb, it is also common to experience shooting pains down the nerve<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These can be sharp pains that might cause you to wince and they will be notably different from the discomfort you feel from the rash itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Blisters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Something that you might notice that is specific to the kind of rash seen with shingles, is the appearance of fluid-filled blisters<\/a>. Again, these are similar to those seen in chickenpox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blisters are likely to appear in one localized area again however, rather than spreading around the entire body. They are most commonly found on either the torso or on the face but they can be found elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is less common, but you might also find that you can experience the blisters on the lower part of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.  Contagion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shingles<\/a> itself is not contagious and you can use this information to rule out other potential rashes: if you have come into direct contact with someone and they\u2019ve caught the rash from you, then it\u2019s not shingles!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, what you might find is that they can actually end up catching chickenpox. If the person has never had chickenpox before, then direct contact with the active blisters can actually cause them to become infected, seeing as it is the same type of bacteria that is responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes it important that you are careful not to touch people who have never experienced chickenpox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6.  Scabbing and Crusting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blisters can occasionally end up erupting and oozing. This unpleasant thought gets no better when you realize that they will then likely turn yellow and flatten as they dry, forming scabs<\/a> and eventually crusting over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can take around two weeks for these unpleasant scabs to disappear, but if you do notice them then it can help you to correctly identify the problem as being caused by shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.  The Shingles \u2018Belt\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This might sound like the least stylish belt you could possibly buy in a highstreet store. In fact, the belt is a specific formation that the rash can take, thereby letting you know the cause. Shingles might appear in a ring around the rib cage or the waist, giving them the appearance of a belt or girdle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the name comes from and once again, it helps to make it easier for you to identify the nature of the shingles. Of course this is yet another example of the rash clustering around the nerves<\/a> that run around the midsection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might find that this symptom makes it uncomfortable to wear tight fitting clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.  Ophthalmic Shingles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another very unpleasant symptom that unique to shingles is \u2018ophthalmic shingles\u2019. Here, the rash will affect the nerves that control facial sensation and movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cause a rash to appear around the eye and you might notice that the eye itself becomes bloodshot and red. You might find that the eyelid begins to droop, you may get swelling in the cornea<\/a> and you might find that blood forms around the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ophthalmic shingles can also cause your vision to become blurred or give you double vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>9.  Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you experience ophthalmic shingles, then it is common that you will also experience a severe headache<\/a> as the muscles in your face become strained. This can become very painful and the nerves around the head and face are affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that you might also get headaches along with the fever that is caused by the shingles. As with any virus, the body will fight to try and drive out the infection, which can cause a range of symptoms \u2013 headaches being common among them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10.  Widespread Shingles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, shingles will normally affect one area of the body more than the others and this is usually due to a specific nerve becoming infected<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, just because you notice shingles in more than one place around the body, this should not rule out the possibility of shingles. It is estimated that roughly 20% of people with shingles will experience \u2018widespread shingles\u2019, meaning that the rash develops across multiple \u2018dermatomes\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this case, it can be difficult to differentiate between shingles and chickenpox. The best way to do so is to look for symptoms of the nerves being affected, such as shooting pains or areas where the rash is surrounding a nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11.  Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, more unpleasant complications are also possible with shingles. This is because the sores can easily become infected by bacteria, leading to discoloration around the area as well as more serious pain and a heightened fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a double threat for infections because the immune system is already suppressed while there are many different open wounds all around the body. Early treatment can cease the spread of the infection so if you notice any signs of an infection, you should see your doctor soon for a course of antibiotics<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid an infection, try to avoid scratching the areas where you have your rash and make sure to support your immune system with lots of vitamins and minerals through your diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>12.  Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You are likely to notice that you also experience a raised temperature if you experience shingles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is caused by the body fighting to drive out the virus and by raising the temperature, it can make the environment of your body less hospitable for invaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fever<\/a> itself is not a bad thing then, but it is very important to ensure that you are regularly getting enough water to prevent dehydration and to avoid the temperature getting dangerously high \u2013 at which point it can risk causing damage to other parts of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>13.  Brain Fog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom of shingles is that you feel \u2018foggy\u2019. This can make it hard to concentrate on things, it can cause you to become forgetful and it can make you feel lethargic and uninspired to do things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is due to inflammation. The area around the rash is inflamed and swollen and this means that your body is producing pro-inflammatory cytokines<\/a> to stimulate that inflammation. Again, this in itself isn\u2019t a bad thing, but those cytokines can also affect your brain making you feel tired and listless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can also lead to feelings of low mood and this is one reason we don\u2019t want to do anything when we are ill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>14.  Tiredness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also common to feel tired and week while you have shingles. This is due in part to the aforementioned pro-inflammatory cytokines, but it is also simply a result of your body trying to fight the infection which requires a lot of energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This leaves less energy for other things and you might find it hard to go about your usual activities. Combined with that, you\u2019ll also find that the nerves <\/a>might be weakened by the infection, giving you localized weakness and making other specific tasks difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take this as a sign from your body to take things easy for a while!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15.  Healing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, you\u2019ll notice a recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, this takes place around two to four weeks after the onset of the symptoms. If your symptoms continue longer than this, then you may wish to consult your family physician<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the rash will heal, you may find that you are left with scars. In some cases, pain can continue for several months after, which is called \u2018postherpetic neuralgia\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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