Shingles, a condition caused by the virus varicella-zoster, causes a painful rash on one side of the body. According to FamilyDoctor.org, this condition often affects people over the age of 50. This virus is caused by a dormant strand left over from a prior outbreak of chicken pox. The virus lives inside the nerve cells until conditions of the body allow it to escape and become active. Conditions such as a low immune system, stress and pregnancy can cause the virus to become active. There is no cure for shingles, but treatment is available if the outbreak is caught within the first 72 hours. The beginning symptoms of shingles allows a person to promptly seek treatment before this time period ends.
Discomfort
The National Institutes of Health states that shingles only affect one side of the body. Pain and discomfort from a shingles outbreak will be localized on one side, either left or right, of the body and will start out as a tingling sensation. People who experience shingles relate the feeling to needles gently pricking them. Once the tingling sensation ends, pain and soreness begins. The area that will eventually bear a rash and blisters that will be tender to the touch. According to the Mayo Clinic, this pain can be so severe that medication is needed to control it. Common medication prescribed for pain includes oxycodone and lidocaine.
Rash
When pain begins to occur during a shingles outbreak, the next sign is often a rash. The rash will start off small and will develop rapidly. The rash associated with shingles contains small red bumps, and over the next few days, the bumps will turn into blisters. These blisters will ooze and then finally develop a crust over the top. The National Institutes of Health states that this rash can last up to 14 days.
Itching
Itching during an outbreak of shingles is common. As the site of the rash heals, new cells begin to form. The formation of new cells, which will eventually replace the sores, causes itching to occur. Over the counter medication, such as hydrocortisone cream, can relieve the itching.
