Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella zoster virus. It generally presents as a band or strip of blisters appearing on one side of the body. Shingles can also appear on the forehead, neck, and nose.
Shingles comes from the very same virus that causes the chicken pox. Once you have had the chicken pox the virus remains dormant in the nerve tissue beneath the skin. For any number of reasons, the virus reactivates many years later, causing shingles. Shingles are contagious and are easily passed through touch, it appears frequently among adults over the age of 60 and in those with a compromised immune system.
Symptoms include:
- Pain, burning, or tingling on one side of the body
- A rash that appears within a few days of the pain.
- Blisters that break open and crust over
- Headache, soreness, and fever
Dr. Daoud and the Glo Dermatology staff can help diagnose and treat shingles.