Skin Conditions We Treat
Shingles (herpes zoster)
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can reappear years later as shingles. Although it is most common in people over age 50, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles.
Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild to severe. Rashes or blisters appear anywhere from one to 14 days later. If shingles appears on your face, it may affect your vision or hearing. The pain of shingles may last for weeks, months, or even years after the blisters have healed.
You can’t catch shingles from someone who has it. However, if you have an outbreak of shingles, you can pass the virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or has not been vaccinated for chicken pox. If you have shingles, you should keep the rash covered and avoid touching or scratching the rash to minimize spreading the virus to other people.
There is no cure for shingles however early diagnosis and treatment are very important to help shorten the duration and severity of the shingles outbreak and prevent long-term complications. If you think you have shingles, you should call seek medical care immediately. Feel free to call our office to schedule a consultation: 360-254-5267, call your primary care provider, or go directly to urgent care or an emergency room.
Shingles (herpes zoster)
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body and can reappear years later as shingles. Although it is most common in people over age 50, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles.
Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild to severe. Rashes or blisters appear anywhere from one to 14 days later. If shingles appears on your face, it may affect your vision or hearing. The pain of shingles may last for weeks, months, or even years after the blisters have healed.
You can’t catch shingles from someone who has it. However, if you have an outbreak of shingles, you can pass the virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or has not been vaccinated for chicken pox. If you have shingles, you should keep the rash covered and avoid touching or scratching the rash to minimize spreading the virus to other people.
There is no cure for shingles however early diagnosis and treatment are very important to help shorten the duration and severity of the shingles outbreak and prevent long-term complications. If you think you have shingles, you should call seek medical care immediately. Feel free to call our office to schedule a consultation: 360-254-5267, call your primary care provider, or go directly to urgent care or an emergency room.
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