how does shingles run its course

by Arlie Strosin Sr. 8 min read

Somewhere between one and five days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will appear. A few days later, the rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters. About one week to 10 days after that, the blisters dry up and crust over. A couple of weeks later, the scabs clear up.

Can you just let shingles run its course?

There is no cure for shingles. It simply has to run its course. Treatment focuses on pain relief. Painkillers may help relieve some of the pain.

Will shingles run its course without medication?

Regarding how quickly or completely the rash heals, an antiviral drug can speed up the healing process. In addition to Valtrex, two other anti-viral drugs can kill the varicella-zoster virus, acyclovir (Zovirax) and famciclovir (Famvir). But you can still heal completely without taking it.

What are the stages of shingles?

The 4 stages of shingles and how the condition progressesThe stages of shingles are tingling pain, followed by a burning feeling and a red rash, then blistering, and finally the blisters will crust over.You will typically develop a rash about 1-5 days after you feel numbness or tingling pain.More items...•Aug 13, 2020

What triggers a shingles outbreak?

Causes of shingles Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus lies dormant (inactive) inside your body. It can become reactivated at a later stage and cause shingles.

What is the most painful stage of shingles?

Typically, the peak pain of shingles is felt within 4 or 5 days after the first symptoms develop, and it comes along with a blistering rash. As the blisters scab over, the pain usually starts to disappear. In some cases, the pain does not go away. This is known as a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.Aug 23, 2021

How long do you feel unwell with shingles?

How long does shingles last? Most cases of shingles last three to five weeks. The first sign is often burning or tingling pain; sometimes it includes numbness or itching on one side of the body. Somewhere between one and five days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will appear.Apr 7, 2022

How painful is shingles on a scale of 1 to 10?

“Shingles is extremely painful," Wigand-Bolling said. “On a scale from one to 10, most patients will say the pain ranges from six to 10.” Between 1 and 5 days after the first symptoms occur, a rash will develop in the affected area.Dec 23, 2021

Can stress bring on shingles?

Since stress affects the immune system, many researchers believe that stress could be a trigger for shingles. Researchers in multiple studies have linked chronic, daily stress, and highly stressful life events as risk factors for shingles.

What are lingering symptoms of shingles?

Signs and symptoms might include:Pain that lasts three months or longer after the shingles rash has healed. The associated pain has been described as burning, sharp and jabbing, or deep and aching.Sensitivity to light touch. ... Itching and numbness.Nov 6, 2020

What age are you most likely to get shingles?

That's why shingles tends to be more common in people older than 50. The risk of shingles continues to increase as people age. Some experts estimate that half the people who live to age 85 will get shingles at some point. Shingles can affect younger people, too, as a result of factors that can affect the immune system.Aug 9, 2013

What Is Shingles (Herpes Zoster)?

A viral infection caused by varicella-zoster characterized by painful rash with blisters.
How common is condition?
Very common (More than 3 million cases per year in US)
Is condition treatable?
Treatable by a medical professional
Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
Requires lab test or imaging
Time taken for recovery
Can last several days or weeks
Is condition preventable by vaccine?
Usually preventable by vaccine
How is condition transmitted?
Transmitted through direct contact
Condition Image

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Expected Duration

Prevention

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Shingles, also known as herpes zoster or just zoster, occurs when a virus in nerve cells becomes active again later in life and causes a skin rash. The virus that causes shingles, the varicella-zoster virus, is the same virus that causes chickenpox. It is a member of the herpes virus family. Once you have had chicken…
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Treatment

  • Shingles usually begins with a burning sensation, a mild itching or tingling or a shooting pain in a specific area of skin. The affected area usually is located only on one side of the chest, abdomen or face or on a portion of an arm or leg. The skin may be extremely sensitive, so that you may not be able to stand clothing touching or rubbing the area. After about five days, the skin becomes r…
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When to Call A Professional

  • Shingles can be difficult to diagnose before visible signs of the disease appear. Once a rash and blisters appear, your doctor probably will diagnose shingles based on your symptoms and the appearance of your skin. Rarely, when the diagnosis is less certain, the doctor may scrape tissue, collect cells from the affected skin and examine them under a microscope for cellular changes c…
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Prognosis

  • Shingles usually takes 7 to 10 days to run its course, although blisters may take several weeks to disappear completely. Within 4 weeks, the appearance of your skin most likely will return to normal. Some people are left with dark spots on the skin in the area of the original rash. The duration of pain is highly variable. Most people's pain decreases within 2 or 3 months. About 10…
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Further Information

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that healthy adults over age 50 get two doses of a called Shingrix. Doses are given two to six months apart. Shingrix is said to be more than 90% effective against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia — a painful nerve condition that can arise as a shingles complication. This new vaccine is more effective than Zos…
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