Shingles Symptoms

Depending on the nerves involved, shingles can affect many parts of the body.

• The first symptom of shingles is often extreme sensitivity or pain in a broad band on one side of the body. The sensation can be itching, tingling, burning, constant aching, or a deep, shooting, or "lightning bolt" pain. If these symptoms appear on the face, especially near the eyes, seek medical help immediately. Other nonspecific symptoms that can occur at the same time are fever, chills, headache, and itching.



• Typically, one to three days after the pain starts, a rash with raised, red bumps and blisters erupts on the skin in the same distribution as the pain. They become pus-filled, then form scabs by 10-12 days.



• The rash disappears as the scabs fall off in the next two to three weeks, and scarring may result.



• Some patients develop postherpetic neuralgia, in which the localized pain remains even after the rash is gone.