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 deep, shooting, or "lightning bolt" pain.

• Typically, 1-3 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 2-3 weeks, and scarring may result.