Shingles signs: Four ‘early symptoms’ on your skin – ‘usually affects a specific area’

Loose Women: Eamonn Holmes discusses his issues with shingles

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The NHS says that one you tend to get the shingles rash on your chest and tummy, but it can appear anywhere on your body including on your face, eyes and genitals. There are also a number of other potential signs in your skin. The health body notes that “you might need medicine to help speed up your recovery and avoid longer-lasting problems”.

The NHS says burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area are all possible early warning signs.

The Mayo Clinic notes that the signs and symptoms of shingles usually affect only a small section of one side of your body.

It says that some people will also experience a fever, a headache, sensitivity to light, and fatigue.

The NHS explains: “Eventually, most people with shingles experience a localised “band” of pain in the affected area.”

It adds: “The pain can be a constant, dull or burning sensation and its intensity can vary from mild to severe. You may have sharp stabbing pains from time to time, and the affected area of skin will usually be tender.”

“Some people experience shingles pain without ever developing the rash,” states the Mayo Clinic.

The painful rash normally lasts seven to 10 days but takes two to four weeks to fully heal.

The NHS says: “You cannot spread shingles to others. But people who have not had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you. This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.”

A shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for people in their 70s.It helps reduce your risk of getting shingles.

In 2013, there were about 50,000 cases of shingles in people above 70 in England and Wales every year, and about 50 of these cases resulted in death.

You can get shingles more than once, but this is very rare.

According to WebMD, experts don’t know how many people get shingles more than once, but it comes back more often in people with weakened immune systems.

If your immune system is healthy, your chances of having shingles again in the first several years is lower than it is for people who have never had shingles.

Your chances of a second bout go up over time, but one study suggests within seven years the odds of getting shingles again are about five percent.

Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.

If you get shingles after being vaccinated, the symptoms can be much milder.

The CDC states: “Several antiviral medicines—acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir—are available to treat shingles and shorten the length and severity of the illness.

“These medicines are most effective if you start taking them as soon as possible after the rash appears. If you think you have shingles, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment.

“Pain medicine, either over-the-counter or a prescription from your doctor, may help relieve the pain caused by shingles. Wet compresses, calamine lotion, and colloidal oatmeal baths (a lukewarm bath mixed with ground up oatmeal) may help relieve itching.”

It adds: “Some people have a greater risk of getting shingles. This includes people who have medical conditions that keep their immune systems from working properly.”

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