What are the early signs and symptoms of shingles?

 

In the early stages, shingles can produce an extensive range of signs and symptoms. These vary from very mild skin irritation and pain to fever and other symptoms of severe illness.

Until a person develops additional shingles symptoms, they may not realize that this condition is causing their early symptoms.

The varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, also causes shingles. The virus lives in the body of every person who has ever had chickenpox. If the virus reactivates, it causes shingles. Shingles usually presents as a painful, burning rash that tends to affect an area on just one side of the body.

Keep reading to learn more about the early signs, symptoms, and stages of shingles.

Early signs and symptoms

Shingles outbreaks usually last 3–5 weeks. In the first few days, a person may not have a rash. Instead, early symptoms may include:

• burning or pain on one side of the body, usually in a small area rather than all over
• unusual sensations, such as numbness, tingling, or shooting pains, on a specific area of the skin on one side of the body
• feeling generally unwell or having less energy than usual
• headaches
• fever
• chills
• stomach problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting

People who experience these symptoms and have a history of chickenpox should consider that shingles may be the cause. If a person has several risk factors for shingles, it is even more likely to be the culprit.

For most people, a red rash appears 1–5 days after skin burning and tingling begin. A few days later, the rash turns into small fluid filled blisters. About 7–10 days after the blisters form, the fluid inside dries and causes crusty blisters. The scabs will typically clear up within a couple of weeks.

Symptoms but no rash?

It is common to have shingles symptoms without a rash for a few days. In some people, the rash takes longer than 5 days to appear. Although it is less common, some people develop zoster sine herpete, in which they have painful skin symptoms but no rash covering the affected skin area.

Anyone at risk of shingles and experiencing some of the symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible. Although there is no cure for shingles, early treatment can reduce the severity of the outbreak.

Internal shingles

In people with internal shingles, the condition affects systemic areas of the body, aside from the skin, such as internal organs. Internal shingles is more common in people who are older or very unwell, and it comes with an increase in the risk of long-term complications, such as chronic pain.

The pain may be more intense with internal shingles, and some people develop symptoms in multiple locations on the body.

A person should not assume that they do not have shingles just because they do not have a rash.

Source: Medical News Today