Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain or bruised feeling, usually on one side of your face or body,often occurring with a feeling of being ill with fever, chills, headache, or upset stomach.
• Followed several days later by tingling, itching, or prickling skin and an inflamed, red skin rash.
• A group or long strip of small, fluid-filled blisters.
• Deep burning, searing, aching, or stabbing pain, which may be continuous or intermittent.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You suspect an outbreak is beginning. Antiviral drugs taken in the early stages may shorten the course of the infection.
• Shingles on your face spreads near your eye. Seek treatment from an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) to avoid possible cornea damage.
• The affected area becomes secondarily infected with bacteria (indicated by spreading redness, swelling, a high fever, and pus). Antibiotics can help halt the spread.
• Your rash lasts longer than 10 days without improvement. Get treatment to avoid potential nerve damage.
• The pain becomes too great to bear. Your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers or a nerve block.