Shingles start with itching, burning, tingling, or painful feelings in a band-like area. A skin rash appears about 3 to 4 days after these symptoms.
Early Symptoms
Early symptoms happen 3 to 4 days before the rash and may be:
Symptoms of Active Shingles
This period starts with a rash in the same area as the early symptoms. Symptoms may be
For most people, active shingles is gone within a week to a month. Some people have pain after the rash has healed. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. It can be severe and limit activities.
About shingles (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html. Accessed November 15, 2021.
Herpes zoster. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/herpes-zoster. Accessed November 15, 2021.
Saguil A, Kane S, et al. Herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia: prevention and management. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(10):656-663.
Shingles information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Shingles-Information-Page. Accessed November 15, 2021.
Shingles. The American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/shingles-treatment. . Accessed November 15, 2021.
Last reviewed November 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board David L. Horn, MD, FACP