Shingles, also known as herpes zoster or varicella virus, is a blistering rash derivative from a dormant virus associated with a previous case of the chickenpox. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, shingles generally affects older adults or children who have already had the chickenpox and have a compromised immune system. Shingles are also contagious when passed from an adult to a child never exposed to chickenpox.
Pain
The beginning stages of shingles can be accompanied by burning and tingling pain. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke say this pain can be relatively mild to severe. Pain can be triggered by a soft touch, the brush of fabric in clothing or bed sheets and even a gentle breeze. A licensed health professional may prescribe medication or a topical cream to use in order to decrease inflammation at the site and relieve the pain.
Numbness
Skin in the infected area can become numb intermittently between burning and tingling pain. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia suggests this is the prelude to the formation of blisters. Blisters can be light to dark red with a surrounding rash. Over the course of about a week, the blisters may begin to have a dry, yellow appearance with crusting. At this time, the shingles may appear in facial or genital areas, create numbness in distant areas and cause eyelid drooping, hearing and vision problems, and altered smell or taste.
Itching
Itching is caused by an increased skin sensitivity and rash. The spine and abdomen or chest areas are generally the first areas where blisters appear. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh suggests that most shingle outbreaks are localized in one particular area and tend to disappear in a week to 10 days. Medication may help relieve the itching or pain, but there is no cure for shingles. The virus must run its course. Stress can increase this course time frame.
