Shingles: Understanding the Viral Rash, Causes & Risks

Shingles is a condition caused by a viral infection. It causes a painful rash on the skin and can lead to serious complications.

Causes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, shingles is caused by the same virus that carries chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). VZV is contagious to those who have not had chickenpox previously.

Risks

• Shingles can only develop in those who have had chickenpox, as VZV continues to lie dormant in nerve tissue years later. A weakened immune system also makes one more vulnerable to shingles.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of shingles include a red rash, blisters, fever, headache, fatigue, itching, pain, tingling and numbness.

Complications

• If shingles occurs around the eyes, it can cause vision loss due to infections in the eye. Other serious complications include hearing problems, facial paralysis, skin infections and inflammation in the brain.

Treatment

• Although shingles typically heals on its own, medications that can speed the process are available. These medications include antiviral prescriptions and pain medications. The pain medications do not speed healing but do relieve the pain caused by the condition.