According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), shingles, sometimes called herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and typically appears in a band, a strip, or a small area on one side of the face or body.
Shingles are most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons, read an AHS press release. Typically, most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again but it is possible to get shingles more than once.
AHS said that shingles occur when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. After you get better from chickenpox, the virus "sleeps" (is dormant) in your nerve roots.
For some, the virus can stay dormant forever but in others, the virus can become active again, when disease, stress, or aging weakens the immune system. Additionally, some medicines may trigger the virus to wake up and cause a shingles rash.
It is not clear why the virus becomes active again, but after it does, it can only cause shingles, not chickenpox. According to AHS, there is a small chance that a person with a shingles rash can spread the virus to another person who has not had chickenpox and nor has received the chickenpox vaccine.
Symptoms of shingles occur in stages, read the AHS press release.
The symptoms begin with a headache or light sensitivity. Some people may also feel as if they have the flu but a fever will not be associated with this.
Next, one may feel itching, tingling, or pain in a certain area and within a few days, they may notice a band, strip, or small rash appear on the body.
The rash then turns into a cluster of blisters, which will fill with fluid and crust over, AHS said. Typically, it takes two to four weeks for the blisters to heal and there is a chance the blisters will scar.
Some people may experience a mild rash while some will not, AHS said. Additionally, some dizziness or weakness is to be expected, as well as pain or a rash on the face, and changes in vision and cognitive function.
AHS warns that the rash and blisters can spread.
Call a doctor if you believe you may have shingles, especially if the shingles are located near the eye or nose. Shingles that spread into the eye can cause permanent eye damage, according to AHS. Receiving early treatment is best. Medicine can help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery.
AHS said that shingles medicines include antiviral medicines and medicines for pain. Home remedies can also help to heal, and AHS recommends keeping skin sores clean.
There is a vaccine for adults against shingles. Call Health Link at 811 to find out more, or speak with a family healthcare provider.
