If you think you may have it, seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Check if you have shingles
The first signs of shingles can be:
- a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
- a headache or feeling generally unwell
A rash will appear a few days later, usually on your chest and tummy. You can also get it anywhere on your body.
Treatment
See your personal doctor as soon as you suspect shingles
They can prescribe medicine to help speed up your recovery and avoid longer-lasting problems.
These work best if taken within 3 days of your symptoms starting.
If you can’t see your personal doctor, call 111 for advice about what to do.
How to treat shingles symptoms yourself
| DO | DONT’S |
|---|---|
| take paracetamol to ease pain | let dressings or plasters stick to the rash |
| keep the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection | use antibiotic cream, this slows healing |
| wear loose-fitting clothing | |
| use a cool compress or a bag of frozen vegetables a few times a day |
How long shingles lasts
It can take up to 4 weeks for the rash to heal.
Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually settles over time.
Stay away from certain groups of people if you have shingles
You can’t spread shingles to others. But people who haven’t had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you.
This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.
Keep your distance from:
- pregnant women who have not had chickenpox before
- people with a weakened immune system, like someone undergoing chemotherapy
- babies under 1 month old, unless it’s your own baby, as they should be protected from the virus by your immune system
Stay off work or school if the rash is still oozing fluid (weeping) and cannot be covered, or until the rash has dried out. You’re only infectious to others while the rash oozes fluid.
Shingles and pregnancy
Getting shingles while pregnant generally poses no direct danger to the pregnancy or baby.
But your personal doctor should refer you to a specialist, as you may need antiviral treatment.
How the virus spreads
You cannot catch shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox, but you can catch chickenpox from someone with an active shingles rash if you haven’t had chickenpox before.
When people get chickenpox, the virus remains in the body. It can be reactivated later and cause shingles if someone’s immune system is weakened. This can be caused by stress, certain conditions, or treatments like chemotherapy.
Shingles vaccination
A shingles vaccine is available through the GHS for people in their 70s. It helps reduce your risk of getting shingles.
If you get shingles after being vaccinated, the symptoms can be much milder.
Ask your Personal Doctor if you can get the vaccine through the GHS.