Shingles Medical Reference

Some people have a lingering pain even after their shingles rash is gone. That could be a condition called postherpetic neuralgia. Find out more about what causes it and who might be more prone to get it.

Sometimes, the pain of shingles continues long after the blisters and other symptoms have faded away. It’s called postherpetic neuralgia. Doctors can help you manage the pain.

For some people, the pain doesn’t end when their shingles rash clears up. Find out more about the shooting, long-lasting discomfort of postherpetic neuralgia.

Shingles not only gives you a painful rash, it can also lead to other serious problems. Find out what shingles can cause, what to look for, and how to get treated.

Shingles usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks and can cause pain, burning, itching, and a lot of discomfort. Some people try alternative treatments -- from acupuncture to creams -- to help them through it.

Do you have shingles or another type of rash? Learn how your doctor diagnoses shingles.

The virus that brings the painful rash and aches of shingles is the same one that causes chickenpox.

Not sure whether you have shingles or another rash? Learn how to tell if your symptoms are shingles.

You can’t make shingles go away, but you can give yourself some relief. Learn tips you can use at home to calm your itching, soothe your pain, and ease your mind.

If you have shingles, your doctor can prescribe drugs that might shorten how long your outbreak lasts and treatments for your pain and itching.

You may reduce the duration and pain of shingles by: Taking good care of skin sores, such as not scratching blisters and keeping your skin clean. Using medications as prescribed to treat shingles or postherpetic neuralgia or using nonprescription pain med

Risks for developing shingles include: Having had chickenpox. You must have had chickenpox to get shingles. Being older than 50. Having a weakened immune system due to another disease, such as diabetes or HIV infection Experiencing stress or trauma.

When the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates, it causes shingles. Early symptoms of shingles include headache, sensitivity to light, and flu - like symptoms without a fever.

The shingles rash can appear anywhere on the body but will only be on one side of the body, the left or right. BIefore the rash occurs, there is usually itching, tingling, or pain in that area. The rash turns into blisters after several days.

Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella - zoster virus, a type of herpes virus that causes chickenpox. Once you have had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in your nerve roots and remains inactive until, in some people, it flares up again.

Shingles is usually diagnosed by the appearance of the bandlike rash that occurs on one side of your body. If a diagnosis of shingles is not clear, your health professional may order lab tests, most commonly herpes tests, on cells taken from a blister.

A list of resources for shingls-related information.

A list of authors that contributed to the topic on Shingles.

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. Shingles: Should I Get a Shot to Prevent Shingles? ...

Postherpetic neuralgia, the most common complication of shingles, is difficult to treat. Your health professional may recommend other treatments, along with medications, to control the pain of postherpetic neuralgia.

Learn about shingles (herpes zoster), a painful, contagious rash caused by the chickenpox virus (varicella-zoster). Read on for treatment and vaccine information.

Call your health professional immediately if : Any sign of shingles develops (such as pain or changes in vision) that affects your forehead, nose, eye, or eyelid. Any symptoms of shingles develop (such as headache, stiff neck, dizziness, weakness, hearing

Anyone who has had chickenpox may get shingles later in life. However, the FDA recently approved a vaccine, known as Zostavax, that may help prevent shingles. Ask your doctor about the availability of this vaccine.

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an attack of chickenpox, the virus remains in the tissues in your nerves. As you get older, or if you have an illness or stress that weakens your immune system, the virus may reappear in t

Medications can help limit the pain and discomfort caused by shingles, shorten the time you have symptoms, and prevent the spread of the disease. Medications also may reduce your chances of developing shingles complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia