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Understanding Shingles -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Shingles?

The symptoms of shingles include:

  • Pain or a bruised feeling -- usually on one side of your face or body -- often along with a fever, chills, headache, or upset stomach.
  • Tingling, itching, or prickling skin and an inflamed, red skin rash several days later.
  • A group or long strip of small, fluid-filled blisters.
  • Deep burning, searing, aching, or stabbing pain, which may occur once in a while or last a long time.

Shingles: What It Looks Like, Who Is at Risk

Call Your Doctor About Shingles If:

  • You suspect an outbreak is beginning. If you take antiviral drugs in the early stages, you may shorten the course of the infection.
  • Shingles on your face spreads near your eye. Seek treatment from an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) to avoid possible cornea damage.
  • The affected area becomes secondarily infected with bacteria (indicated by spreading redness, swelling, a high fever, and pus). Antibiotics can help halt the spread of bacterial infection but not the shingles itself.
  • Your rash lasts longer than 10 days without improvement. Get treatment to avoid potential nerve damage.
  • The pain becomes too great to bear. Your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers or a nerve block.

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by Norman Levine, MD on April 07, 2012
© 2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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