HealthUnlockedHealthUnlocked
AboutLog in

Experiences with

Shingles

Check if you have shingles

The first signs of shingles can be:

  • a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
  • a headache or feeling generally unwell

A rash will appear a few days later.

Usually you get the shingles rash on your chest and tummy, but it can appear anywhere on your body including on your face, eyes and genitals.

The rash appears as blotches on your skin, on 1 side of your body only. A rash on both the left and right of your body is unlikely to be shingles.

The blotches become itchy blisters that ooze fluid. A few days later, the blisters dry out and scab.

The rash can be red, but this can be harder to see on brown and black skin.

The rash can form a cluster that only appears on 1 side of your body. The skin remains painful until after the rash has gone.

The rash may be in and around your eye, making it sore and red. It can affect your sight or hearing and make it hard to move 1 side of your face.

How to treat shingles symptoms yourself

  • take paracetamol to ease pain

  • keep the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection

  • wear loose-fitting clothing

  • use a cool compress (a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel or a wet cloth) a few times a day

  • do not let dressings or plasters stick to the rash

  • do not use antibiotic cream – this slows healing

The main symptom of shingles is a painful, blotchy rash on 1 side of your body. It mainly affects the skin, but can sometimes affect the eyes too.

Medicine from a doctor can help speed up your recovery from shingles if it's taken within 3 days of the symptoms starting, but not everyone needs it.

Related links

Shingles

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

  • Posts

  • Communities

1,433 public posts

Shingles! Cause of my hip and leg pain?

I can’t help wondering if the hip and leg pain is arthritis which has made me more susceptible to shingles or whether the pan is actually the shingles! I will need another X-ray obviously but need a couple of days off from doctors/hospitals! Feeling rather sorry for myself!
I can’t help wondering if the hip and leg pain is arthritis which has made me more susceptible to shingles or whether the pan is actually the shingles! I will need another X-ray obviously but need a couple of days off from doctors/hospitals! Feeling rather sorry for myself!
Michali45 profile image
Michali45
in MPN Voice

Diagnosed with Shingles MDS/MPN Overlap Syndrome

Just been diagnosed with Shingles confined to my scalp at the moment. I've been prescribed Aciclovir 800mg 5 times a day. I have very low neutrophils.....should I have antibiotics too?
Just been diagnosed with Shingles confined to my scalp at the moment. I've been prescribed Aciclovir 800mg 5 times a day. I have very low neutrophils.....should I have antibiotics too?
Tartanlady profile image
Tartanlady
in MPN Voice

Shingles vaccine for cll patients

Now I have shingles. I was told not to have a shingles vaccine as it was "live" and could give me shingles. Well, too late I learn there is a shingles vaccine effective for cll patients. Somehow that info or I fell through the cracks knowing about it.
Now I have shingles. I was told not to have a shingles vaccine as it was "live" and could give me shingles. Well, too late I learn there is a shingles vaccine effective for cll patients. Somehow that info or I fell through the cracks knowing about it.
Splashes profile image
Splashes
in CLL Support
Want to take advantage of all our features? Just log in!
or

Shingles and azathioprine

Hi all, today I have been diagnosed with shingles. The doctor started me on Aciclovir. I’m not sure if I can keep taking my azathioprine or not. Forgot to ask the doctor. Anyone has been in the same situation as me? Thanks.x
Hi all, today I have been diagnosed with shingles. The doctor started me on Aciclovir. I’m not sure if I can keep taking my azathioprine or not. Forgot to ask the doctor. Anyone has been in the same situation as me? Thanks.x
Sezvic profile image
Sezvic
in LUPUS UK

Shingles vaccine before JAK inhibitor?

Hello lovely people, Was just wondering if anyone decided to have a shingles vaccination before starting a Jak inhibitor? Know it’s a live one. I’m currently just on methotrexate having failed numerous other meds and biologics…been suggested I try Rinvoq next.
Hello lovely people, Was just wondering if anyone decided to have a shingles vaccination before starting a Jak inhibitor? Know it’s a live one. I’m currently just on methotrexate having failed numerous other meds and biologics…been suggested I try Rinvoq next.
Taraheart profile image
Taraheart
in NRAS

SHINGLES VACCINE

Hi All, Just wondering if any one out there has had the shingles vaccine specifically for someone with COELIAC My wife had it 6 weeks ago and is suffering with bad joint pain She has never had joint pain and is very active.Practice nurse says they will test for rheumatism and arthritis but still waiting
Hi All, Just wondering if any one out there has had the shingles vaccine specifically for someone with COELIAC My wife had it 6 weeks ago and is suffering with bad joint pain She has never had joint pain and is very active.Practice nurse says they will test for rheumatism and arthritis but still waiting
MAISIEMOO21 profile image
MAISIEMOO21
in British Heart Foundation

GCA and shingles

I have GCA PMR vasculitis and now have painful facial shingles. Taking ante viral tablets but I cannot get my booster jab or flu jab until I am clear. Unfortunately the shingles keep reappearing. What would be the dangers of me having my booster jab while my shingles are still active
I have GCA PMR vasculitis and now have painful facial shingles. Taking ante viral tablets but I cannot get my booster jab or flu jab until I am clear. Unfortunately the shingles keep reappearing. What would be the dangers of me having my booster jab while my shingles are still active
camerashy profile image
camerashy
in PMRGCAuk

Shingles vaccine

Is it ok to get a shingles vaccine whilst getting an injection of Nacula and on 2 Mg of pred
Is it ok to get a shingles vaccine whilst getting an injection of Nacula and on 2 Mg of pred
Jimsq profile image
Jimsq
in Asthma Community Forum

Shingles

After 5 weeks on methotrexate, I've got the dreaded shingles. I was diagnosed at an our of hours GP on Sunday and left a message for my rheumatology team on Sunday and then emailed the secretary there yesterday. I usually take my methotrexate on a Sunday and adalimumab on Friday.
After 5 weeks on methotrexate, I've got the dreaded shingles. I was diagnosed at an our of hours GP on Sunday and left a message for my rheumatology team on Sunday and then emailed the secretary there yesterday. I usually take my methotrexate on a Sunday and adalimumab on Friday.
SlothSandpit profile image
SlothSandpit
in NRAS

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Leukaemia (CLL) Patients: Shingles, Antivirals, Antibiotics, and the new Shingrix Vaccine (Please read first)

I hope people will do so to add their experiences, either by reply to those posts, or by a new standalone post, and in that way help others improve their understanding of Shingles, and what as a CLL patient to do about it. . Here’s the posts: • CLL Patients: What is ?
I hope people will do so to add their experiences, either by reply to those posts, or by a new standalone post, and in that way help others improve their understanding of Shingles, and what as a CLL patient to do about it. . Here’s the posts: • CLL Patients: What is ?
Ernest2 profile image
Ernest2
in CLL Support

Chickenpox vaccine

I have had chickenpox and shingles?
I have had chickenpox and shingles?
thelmar profile image
thelmar
in NRAS

Shingles vaccine

Just a quick follow up to say I have now had my first jab of Shingrix. Which according to the nurse and nhs website is now available to us. ( from Sept 21) Apparently I was the first one my surgery had done. Mt arm reeeallly hurts, but otherwise so far so good. And Happy Christmas everyone.
Just a quick follow up to say I have now had my first jab of Shingrix. Which according to the nurse and nhs website is now available to us. ( from Sept 21) Apparently I was the first one my surgery had done. Mt arm reeeallly hurts, but otherwise so far so good. And Happy Christmas everyone.
Alazarin profile image
Alazarin
in PMRGCAuk

Shingles

Post shingles pain relief, was taking gabapentin but suffeted side effects , what else can i take ?
Post shingles pain relief, was taking gabapentin but suffeted side effects , what else can i take ?
Previous profile image
Previous
in Thyroid UK

Shingle vaccine

Had my shingles vaccine yesterday and was told I will have to have another one in four weeks.
Had my shingles vaccine yesterday and was told I will have to have another one in four weeks.
Blackcat1M profile image
Blackcat1M
in PMRGCAuk

Is the shingles vaccine suitable for people diagnosed with sle

I have a case of shingle and was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience if the shingles vaccine is suitable for people that have sle.
I have a case of shingle and was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience if the shingles vaccine is suitable for people that have sle.
Hopey profile image
Hopey
in LUPUS UK

Shingles

Looks very like shingles. Rang Gp this morning and having a telephone consultation this afternoon. I’m down to to 21/2 mg of pred , will I be given antivirals ? Anyone had shingles whilst having PMR. I’m booked to have my flu jab tomorrow do you think I should still have that.
Looks very like shingles. Rang Gp this morning and having a telephone consultation this afternoon. I’m down to to 21/2 mg of pred , will I be given antivirals ? Anyone had shingles whilst having PMR. I’m booked to have my flu jab tomorrow do you think I should still have that.
York54 profile image
York54
in PMRGCAuk

Shingles

I have just been given a shingles vaccine it’s a new vaccine that hasn’t been out for very long and isn’t live apart from a sore arm and a day of feeling really tired no other side affects 🤞has anybody else had it. gp said anybody with lupus shouldn’t have live shingles vaccine
I have just been given a shingles vaccine it’s a new vaccine that hasn’t been out for very long and isn’t live apart from a sore arm and a day of feeling really tired no other side affects 🤞has anybody else had it. gp said anybody with lupus shouldn’t have live shingles vaccine
kingsnorth profile image
kingsnorth
in LUPUS UK

SHINGLES VACCINATION

I've been invited for a shingles vaccination.I understand that Zostavax is live,whereas Shingrix is not.The NHS reserve the latter for those with qualifying immune issues. This has again raised a question that I have been thinking about since the start of the pandemic.
I've been invited for a shingles vaccination.I understand that Zostavax is live,whereas Shingrix is not.The NHS reserve the latter for those with qualifying immune issues. This has again raised a question that I have been thinking about since the start of the pandemic.
Naomi8 profile image
Naomi8
in Thyroid UK

Shingles- Shingrix for immuno compromised

I have been able to get the non live Shingles vaccine Shingrix from my NHS GP practice. Due my second dose inJanuary. Thought those of you who are under the impression that this is only available privately (which it was up to a little while ago.) should know. Happy New Year to you all.
I have been able to get the non live Shingles vaccine Shingrix from my NHS GP practice. Due my second dose inJanuary. Thought those of you who are under the impression that this is only available privately (which it was up to a little while ago.) should know. Happy New Year to you all.
Cal48 profile image
Cal48
in NRAS

Shingles live vaccine

I have just spoken to my GPs surgery and I am due a shingles vaccine but they're telling me the only one they are offering is a live vaccine and it is my decision if I want to have it!! Explained I am on steroids and apparently they will not give non live vaccine.
I have just spoken to my GPs surgery and I am due a shingles vaccine but they're telling me the only one they are offering is a live vaccine and it is my decision if I want to have it!! Explained I am on steroids and apparently they will not give non live vaccine.
Rosshigh profile image
Rosshigh
in PMRGCAuk
  • 1
  • 2
  • ...
  • 72
  • Next page
  • 10
  • 20
  • 30
  • 40
  • 50
  • 60
  • 70
Filter results
Posted in
Sort by
HealthUnlocked
© 2022 All rights reserved.

Company

About Us

Our Team

Partner with us

Careers

Product

Health terms A to Z

Communities A to Z

Start a Community

Support

Help Centre

Community Guidelines

Contact us

Cookies settings