Shingles is a condition that results from a reactivation of the Herpes zoster virus, which is also responsible for chickenpox. This virus is never completely eliminated by the immune system; instead it lays dormant in the body. If the virus becomes active again, possibly due to the immune system being weakened, it can result in shingles.
Pain and Itching
One of the earliest symptoms of a shingles outbreak is the sudden appearance of a burning sensation or pain on one side of the body or the face. This pain may also be accompanied by itching or tingling of the affected areas. The pain can be very intense and may cause patients to suspect another health problem, such as heart disease, due to its severity.
Rash
A rash is another characteristic symptom of shingles that will occur early in the course of the disease. The rash can appear anywhere on the body, Medline Plus explains, but most typically occurs in a band that extends from the spine to either the navel or the chest. In some cases, the rash will involve the face, eyes, mouth and ears. The rash may also occur with blisters, which will burst and then crust over. The rash can occur as early as one day after the first symptoms of pain or itching of the skin and usually affects the same parts of the body that experienced the earlier pain.
Constitutional Symptoms
Shingles can also produce symptoms that affect the whole body. Prominent among these are fever, chills and a general aching of the muscles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Patients may also feel fatigued and develop a headache.
Facial Nerve Dysfunction
If the shingles virus becomes reactivated in the nerves of the face, it can cause problems with the affected facial nerve. This can result in difficulty moving muscles in the face. If one of the nerves that controls the ocular muscles is affected, it can impair the movement of the eyes. Similarly, facial muscles or the eyelids can become weakened or hard to move.
