How long do shingles lesions appear

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Shingles causes a painful rash, itching, and burning skin, and lasts for 3 to 5 weeks in most cases. People usually only experience shingles once, but the infection can recur.

Shingles is a viral infection that affects approximately 1 in 3 adults in the United States. Around half of all shingles cases occur in adults over 60 years old. It can occur in anyone who has had chickenpox , as both shingles and chickenpox are caused by the varicella-zoster virus VZV. This virus remains in the body after chickenpox has cleared and can reactivate at any time, leading to shingles.

Shingles symptoms tend to develop on one side of the face or body. They often affect just a small area. The most common location is on the side of the waist, although they can occur anywhere.

Several days before a rash appears, shingles may cause skin sensitivity or pain. Further early symptoms include:. Within the next 1 to 5 days, a red rash will normally form around the sensitive area. A few days later, fluid-filled blisters will develop at the site of the rash.

The blisters will ooze before drying up, typically within 10 days of appearing. At this point, scabs will form on the skin, tending to heal within 2 weeks. It should be noted that shingles symptoms range from mild to severe, with some people experiencing itching and mild discomfort and others having intense pain.

Most cases of shingles resolve without causing long-term effects. However, potential complications include:. Post-herpetic neuropathy PHN is a common complication of shingles. It refers to nerve damage that causes pain and burning that persists after the shingles infection is gone.

Some sources suggest that up to 20 percent of people who get shingles develop PHN with older adults thought to be especially at risk. 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. Shingles outbreaks usually last 3—5 weeks. In the first few days, a person may not have a rash. Instead, early symptoms may include:. 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.

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. 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. Once a person has had chickenpox, even after the chickenpox rash clears up, the herpes zoster virus continues to live in the body. They may need to be vaccinated. He or she will also ask about your symptoms. They will do a physical exam and inspect your rash. There is a test that can confirm shingles, but it is not normally needed. The best way to prevent shingles is through vaccination.

Vaccinate your children for chickenpox. This vaccine reduces their risk for getting chickenpox. When you are older, get the shingles vaccine. It is recommended for adults 50 years of age and older. It can prevent shingles. People who have had shingles should get the vaccine to help stop the disease from reoccurring. Common side effects of the vaccine are headache, plus redness, swelling, itching, and soreness at the injection site.

Shingles is often treated with an antiviral medicine. These medicines can reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms. Acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir are commonly prescribed. Your doctor will decide whether one of these medicines is right for you. These medicines work better if you start taking them in the first 3 days after you get the rash.

Your doctor might also have you take a steroid medicine to reduce your pain and swelling. This medicine along with the antiviral medicines may reduce your risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. To help with the pain of shingles, your doctor might have you take an over-the-counter pain medicine.

This could include acetaminophen one brand: Tylenol or ibuprofen two brands: Motrin, Advil. Applying a medicated anti-itch lotion two brands: Benadryl, Caladryl to the blisters might reduce the pain and itching.

Placing cool compresses soaked in water mixed with white vinegar on the blisters and sores might also help. Most people will only get shingles once in their life. There are a few complications that can occur. The most common complication of shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia PHN. This is when the pain of shingles lasts for a long time after the rash is gone.

It is caused by damaged nerve fibers that send exaggerated pain messages from your skin to your brain. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop PHN. It is also likely to be more severe when you are older.

Specific treatment for shingles will be determined by your healthcare provider based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history How long the shingles have been present some medicines are not as effective if given more than 2 to 3 days after the rash has appeared Extent of the condition Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies Expectations for the course of the condition Your opinion or preference There is no cure for shingles.

Other treatments may include: Creams or lotions to help relieve itching Cool compresses applied to affected skin areas Antiviral medicines such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir Steroids Antidepressants Anticonvulsants What are the complications of shingles? The main complications that can result from shingles include: Postherpetic neuralgia PHN.

The most common complication of shingles is called postherpetic neuralgia PHN. This continuous, chronic pain lasts even after the skin lesions have healed. The pain may be severe in the area where the blisters were present. The affected skin may be very sensitive to heat and cold. If you had severe pain during the active rash or have impaired senses, you are at increased risk for PHN. The elderly are also at greater risk. Early treatment of shingles may prevent PHN. Pain relievers and steroid treatment may be used to treat the pain and inflammation.

Other treatments include antiviral drugs, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical agents. Bacterial infection. A bacterial infection of the skin where the rash happens is another complication.

Rarely, infections can lead to more problems, such as tissue death and scarring. When an infection happens near or on the eyes, a corneal infection can happen. This can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.

Can shingles be prevented?