An episode of shingles usually lasts two to four weeks. The first sign of the condition is a tingling sensation in the affected area, followed by pain and then a rash.
Any part of your body can be affected by the rash and pain of shingles, although the chest and abdomen (tummy) are most commonly affected. You may also:
- experience pain in your arms and legs
- find that the nerves in the upper half of your face (including your eyes) are affected
- feel exhausted
Early symptoms
Shingles may cause some early (prodromal) symptoms that last for one to four days before the rash first appears. These early symptoms can include:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over
- myalgia (muscle pain)
- burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area
- a feeling of being generally unwell
Not everyone will experience these prodromal symptoms. In particular, a high temperature is uncommon.
Pain
Along with the early symptoms above, people with shingles experience a localised ‘band’ of pain in the affected area.
The pain caused by shingles can be a constant, dull or burning sensation and its intensity can vary from mild to severe. You may have sharp stabbing pains from time to time and the affected area of skin will usually be tender.
The pain is less common in young, healthy people and is rare in children. The pain can last for more than a week before the rash begins.
Rash
The shingles rash usually follows several days after the start of the pain. The rash appears on one side of your body and develops on the area of skin that is related to the affected nerve.
Initially, the shingles rash appears as red blotches on your skin, before quickly developing into itchy blisters that are similar in appearance to chickenpox. New blisters may appear for up to a week, but about three days after appearing they become yellowish in colour, flatten and dry out.
Finally, scabs form where the blisters were, which may leave some slight scarring. It usually takes two to four weeks for the rash to completely heal.
Seek medical attention
The symptoms of shingles are often mild. However, see your GP as soon as possible if you have the symptoms of shingles. Early treatment may help reduce the severity of your symptoms and your risk of developing complications.
Seek immediate medical treatment if you have any of the following symptoms:
- a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over
- confusion
- memory loss
- severe headache
- any symptoms that affect your eye area (see box, right, about ophthalmic shingles)
See your GP if you develop the symptoms of shingles and you are pregnant or you have a weakened immune system (the body’s natural defence system).
