Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash with blisters. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. People who have had chickenpox are at risk to develop shingles, since the varicella-zoster virus remains inactive in the body and can flare up into shingles. People who have never had chickenpox will not develop shingles.
Symptoms
Symptoms of shingles include pain and burning, then appearance of red patches on the skin. Red patches are followed by small blisters. The blisters rupture and then dry into crust. The crusts remain for up to three weeks before falling off. Other symptoms include fever and chills, headache, joint pain, muscle weakness, or abdominal pain. The rash is often located on the back and wraps around the torso on one side to the chest.
Exercise
The virus is contagious during the incubation phase, which lasts until dry crusts form on the rash, so you should not work out in a gym, since you could transmit the virus to people not immune to chickenpox. However, exercise may be beneficial during an outbreak. Exercise helps to relieve stress, which in turn may decrease symptom severity. Exercise also helps boost the immune system, which could also aid in recovery. Mild, relaxing exercises such as tai chi and walking are suitable for people suffering from shingles. Swimming is also beneficial but you should not do so in a public pool. A study published in the April 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society" found that tai chi may actually help to prevent shingles.
Avoid Irritation
Wear loose clothing that will not rub on sensitive rash areas. MayoClinic.com recommends a pain reliever such as ibuprofen taken before exercise to help reduce pain during the exercise. You may also use a light dusting of oatmeal powder to help prevent friction on shingles rashes. If the movement causes pain to increase, stop the exercise to allow more time to heal. Do not scratch the blisters of your rash, as this may cause infection or scarring.
Caution
Although you cannot give someone shingles, you can cause someone to develop chickenpox if they have not ever had the virus. If you have shingles, do not come in contact with pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems. Avoid public gyms until out of the contagious period.
