Shingles

Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash on your skin. It's caused by the same virus that gives you chickenpox. If you think you might have shingles, it's important to get help quickly.

What Does Shingles Look Like?

The first signs of shingles aren't always a rash. You might notice:

• A tingling or painful feeling in one area of your skin
• A headache
• Feeling unwell generally

After a few days, a rash usually appears. This rash is quite special - it only appears on one side of your body. If you have a rash on both sides, it's probably not shingles.

The rash starts as red blotches that turn into itchy blisters filled with fluid. These blisters then dry out and form scabs. The whole process can be quite painful.

You'll most often get the rash on your chest or tummy, but it can appear anywhere - including your face, eyes, or private parts.

When Should You Get Help?

See a pharmacist if you're 18 or older and think you have shingles. Try to see them within 3 days of the rash appearing. Pharmacists can now give you the same medicines as your GP to help you get better faster.

Get urgent help from your GP or call NHS 111 if you:

• Are pregnant
• Are breastfeeding and the rash is on your breasts
• Have the rash on your eye or nose
• Notice changes to your eyesight
• Have a very weak immune system (like from cancer treatment)
• Are 17 years old or younger

These situations need quick treatment to prevent serious problems.

What Can You Do at Home?

While you're getting better, you can help yourself by:

• Taking paracetamol for pain
• Keeping the rash clean and dry
• Wearing loose, soft clothes
• Using a cool, damp cloth or ice pack wrapped in a towel on the rash

Don't put sticky plasters directly on the rash, and avoid rough fabrics that might irritate your skin.

How Long Does It Last?

Shingles usually takes up to 4 weeks to heal completely. Even after the rash goes away, your skin might still hurt for weeks or months. This pain usually gets better with time.

Can You Spread Shingles?

You can't give someone else shingles. However, if someone hasn't had chickenpox before or hasn't had the chickenpox vaccine, they could catch chickenpox from you.

Stay away from:

• Pregnant women who haven't had chickenpox
• People with weak immune systems
• Babies under 1 month old

Stay off work or school if your rash is still weeping fluid and you can't cover it properly.

Getting Vaccinated

There's a shingles vaccine available on the NHS for people over 65, those aged 70-79 who haven't been vaccinated yet, and people over 18 with very weak immune systems. The vaccine can prevent shingles or make it much milder if you do get it.

If you're worried about shingles symptoms, speak to your GP or pharmacist. Getting treatment early can help you recover faster and avoid complications.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.