Shingles
It begins with pain or tingling in an area of skin on one side of your body or face, followed by a rash of small, fluid-filled blisters. You may also have a headache and fever. The blisters scab over and heal within a few weeks, but the area may be painful for months afterward. Shingles is more common in later life. Stress, ill health, or sunlight can trigger an attack, but you can't catch shingles from contact with chicken pox.
Arrange to see your doctor to confirm that you have shingles. See your doctor urgently if shingles has developed close to an eye.
✨ What you can do yourself
Use these home treatments to make yourself feel better while you get over an attack of shingles.
- Rest as much as you can to speed your recovery.
- While you have a fever, drink plenty of fluids.
- Take an analgesic to relieve pain, headache, and fever (see Drug Remedies section). A cold compress (a cloth soaked in ice-cold water) may help relieve pain and tingling in your skin.
- If you have blisters on your body, take lukewarm baths 2–3 times a day. Add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) or use an oatmeal product (see Natural Remedies section) to soothe your skin. Wash any blisters on your face gently with soap and water.
- Until all the blisters are dry, avoid skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has not had chicken pox, because they could catch the virus from you.
Arrange to see your doctor again if:
- Your blisters become pus-filled and spread
- You develop severe headaches or vomiting
- Analgesics do not control the pain, or pain persists after the blisters have cleared
💡 Remember: Shingles can be painful, but most people recover fully within a few weeks. See a doctor promptly — antiviral medication is most effective when started early. Keep blisters clean and avoid contact with pregnant women, newborns, and anyone with a weakened immune system.