Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus(VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Shingles can occur anywhere on the body, but in most cases wraps around the torso. It typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that follows a dermatomal (nerve) distribution on the body. After an initial infection with chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in spinal nerve roots for many years. Stress or sickness can reactivate the virus and cause it to migrate down sensory nerves to the skin to cause the blistering rash.
- Pain, burning or tingling (usually first symptom)
- Sensitivity to touch/clothes rubbing
- A red rash that begins a few days after the pain
- Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
- Itching
- Fever
- Lowered immunity (cancer/chemotherapy), Medications (long term prednisone, immunosuppressants)
- History of chicken pox infection
- Age 50 and older
Precautions:
If you have shingles, you can pass the chickenpox virus to anyone who isn’t immune to chickenpox. This usually occurs through direct contact with the open sores of the shingles rash. Once infected, though, the person will develop chickenpox rather than shingles. Until your shingles blisters scab over, you are contagious. Avoid physical contact with anyone who hasn’t yet had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, pregnant women, immunosuppressed people, and newborns.
Prevention:
A shingles vaccine may help prevent shingles or at least, lessen the severity of shingles symptoms. People who are eligible should get the Shingrix vaccine.
- Postherpetic neuralgia– burning pain in the nerves and skin, even after the rash is gone.
- Vision loss– Shingles in or around an eye (ophthalmic shingles) can cause painful eye infections that may result in vision loss.
- Neurological problems-Shingles may cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or problems with hearing or balance.
- Skin infections-If shingles blisters aren’t properly treated, bacterial skin infections may develop due to open skin.
Early diagnosis and intervention are vital to preventing long term complications. At Siperstein Dermatology Group, we are experts in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating shingles. If you think you may be developing an outbreak, contact our office right away for an appointment!
