Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox is at risk, but not everyone who had chickenpox develops shingles. Once you recover from chickenpox, the virus is dormant in the central nervous system. According to Pennsylvania State University, what causes shingles isn't known. It's assumed that anything that suppresses the immune system, from diseases to emotional stress, can trigger shingles.
Background
When you have chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus migrates along sensory nerve endings to the spinal cord, where it can remain latent for decades. Once the virus is triggered -- perhaps by injury, illness, surgery or stress -- it travels from the spinal cord through a sensory nerve, usually with symptoms on only one side of the trunk. The most obvious symptoms are nerve pain and a rash that develops over a few days and can last two weeks to a month.
Source of the Rash
Rather than can causing problems in the spinal cord, a shingles rash on the breast is the result of the virus traveling from the spinal cord along a nerve around to the front of the body, according to the University of California. You might feel pain anywhere along the path of the nerve, from the spine to the nerve ending. You can develop the rash anywhere along the path of the nerve as well. Before you see or feel the rash, you may experience pain, fever, fatigue or headache, says Ohio State University Medical Center.
Care
Once you have developed shingles, your doctor can recommend treatment. Beginning treatment as soon as you realize you have shingles is important, because the sooner you start treatment the better the results can be. Do not scratch the rash; this could lead to an infection of your skin, according to the Ohio University Medical Center. You are contagious, and anyone who hasn't yet had chickenpox could catch it from you. Stay away from anyone who might be pregnant. Chickenpox can have devastating consequences during pregnancy, according to the University of California.
Post-Herpetic Pain Syndrome
Some, but not all, of those who develop shingles experience post-herpetic neuralgia, according to Ohio State University. Post-herpetic neuralgia is a lingering, sometimes intractable pain in the area of the shingles, after the rash has disappeared. It can disrupt sleep and cause depression. If you have pain that lingers after your shingles rash has disappeared, consult your doctor about antiviral medication and pain treatment. Acupuncture may also help, as may capsaicin cream applied to the skin.
