Shingles or herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. After recovering from chicken pox, the virus may lie dormant within the cells of a large nerve. Years later it may emerge as shingles. It affects only the area of the body served by the nerve that held the virus.

It is not known what makes the virus active again. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get it. Infected people can infect those who have not had chicken pox. Chicken pox will be the result, not shingles.

Early symptoms are pain, itching, and possibly decreased feeling in the affected area. A rash begins in a band around one side of the chest, abdomen, or on the face. The rash blisters, fills with fluid, then pus, breaks open and then crusts over. It clears up in a few weeks. Pain may be limited or severe and improve when the rash heals or may continue for months or years. Post herpetic neuralgia occurs in 50 percent of those who have had shingles and are over age 60. Herpes zoster can occur in the eye. Any pain in the eye requires prompt medical evaluation to prevent eye infection or blindness.

It is important that a person who has shingles lesions that have not crusted over, avoid physical contact with anyone who has not had chicken pox.

The following suggestions describe comfort measures that can be done at home.
* Apply cool, wet compresses (aluminum acetate solution) over the blistered areas.
* Apply a soothing lotion.
* Take acetaminophen for mild pain.

Seek medical care for proper evaluation and treatment when the rash first develops. Early treatment with acyclovir may result in decreased pain after the rash heals.

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