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If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you already have the virus that can cause a shingles infection. The two conditions are both caused by the varicella-zoster virus (also referred to as VZV). After you’ve recovered from chickenpox, VZV remains in your body, dormant in the tissues of your nervous system. Years later, the virus can reactivate, causing shingles.
Shingles is a painful, blistering rash. It typically appears on one side of the body, following the path of a nerve fiber. It is often preceded by itching, tingling or pain in the days before the rash appears. For the first 7 to 10 days, the rash consists of fluid-filled blisters. After 7 to 10 days, the blisters scab over, but it may take a few more weeks for the rash to clear up completely.
Here are five reasons you should speak to your healthcare provider about shingles.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Preventi... + 20
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- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “What Everyone Should Know about Zostavax.” January 25, 2018. Accessed October 9, 2020.
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- T Mallick-Searle, B Snodgrass, & JM Brant. “Postherpetic neuralgia: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and pain management pharmacology.” Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. 2016, 9, 447–454.
- WD James, DM Elston, et al. Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin. 19, 362-420.e8. 2020. Elsevier.
- Carrie DeVries. “Is Your Medication Raising Your Risk for Shingles?” Arthritis-Health.com. October 28, 2014.
