What does the first outbreak of shingles look like?

Early symptoms of shingles may include fever and general weakness. You may also feel areas of pain, burning, or a tingling sensation. A few days later, the first signs of a rash appear. You may begin to notice pink or red blotchy patches on one side of your body.

What rash can be mistaken for shingles?

Shingles can sometimes be mistaken for another skin conditions, such as hives, psoriasis, or eczema. Share on Pinterest A doctor should always be consulted if shingles is suspected. The characteristics of a rash may help doctors identify the cause. For example, hives are often raised and look like welts.

How do shingles begin?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue near your spinal cord and brain. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.

Is there a mild form of shingles?

For some people, the symptoms of shingles are mild. They might just have some itching. For others, shingles can cause intense pain that can be felt from the gentlest touch or breeze.

What are the signs and symptoms of shingles?

First symptoms. Early symptoms of shingles may include fever and general weakness. You may also feel areas of pain, burning, or a tingling sensation. A few days later, the first signs of a rash appear. You may begin to notice pink or red blotchy patches on one side of your body. These patches cluster along nerve pathways.

How long does PHN last with shingles rash?

Occurring where you had the rash, PHN can cause constant tingling, burning, and pain. For others, the pain comes and goes. Whether the pain is constant or intermittent, it can go on for a long time. You can have PHN for months, years, or the rest of your life. There is no way to know how long it will last.

What do shingles look like around the waist?

The shingles “belt”. Shingles often appears around the rib cage or waist, and may look like a “belt” or half belt. This classic presentation is easily recognizable as shingles. The belt can cover a wide area on one side of your midsection.

What kind of shingles causes a rash around the eye?

Ophthalmic shingles affects the nerve that controls facial sensation and movement in your face. In this type, the shingles rash appears around your eye and over your forehead and nose. Ophthalmic shingles may be accompanied by headache.