What does shingles look like?

Persistent pain, red skin rash, blisters ... these are the common pictures of shingles, signaling that you may have the disease.

Shingles is a skin disease caused by a virus. Although the disease is not dangerous, it often causes difficulties in living, and if not treated in time, it can affect health. Shingles has symptoms similar to many other skin diseases that make many people confused such as: chickenpox, shingles ... Want to easily identify shingles for a reasonable treatment, learn the following: pictures of shingles through the sharing post below.

What is shingles?

Shingles is a skin disease caused by a virus

Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is also the virus that causes chickenpox. Even after you have had chickenpox, the virus can live in the nervous system for years before reactivating to cause shingles. Shingles may also be called herpes zoster. This is a viral infection that is characterized by a red skin rash that causes pain and burning. Shingles usually presents as a band of blisters on one side of the body, often on the trunk, neck, or face. This disease is not a life-threatening condition but can be painful. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of shingles, and early treatment can help shorten the duration of infection and reduce the risk of complications.

Pictures of the first shingles shingles

Early symptoms of shingles may include fever and general weakness. The affected area will be red, painful, or tingling. A few days later, the rash began to appear. The rash will spread along the nerves, towards one side of the body. In this early stage, shingles is not contagious.

Blister stage

What does shingles look like?The most typical symptom of shingles is the appearance of blisters along the nerve

The affected area quickly develops into tiny blisters similar to chickenpox, which can be itchy, and continue to grow for several days. Blisters appear in certain areas and do not spread over the whole body, most commonly on the trunk and face. A few cases of blisters on the lower body

Shingles is not contagious. However, if you have never had chickenpox or had the chickenpox vaccine, you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles from direct contact with the wound.

Scaling and peeling

The next picture of shingles is that the blisters will burst, after which they may turn yellow and begin to collapse. After the wound dries, the scab stage comes. During this phase, you will feel some relief, but it will not go away, and it can last from one to several months. When all the blisters collapse, the risk of spreading the virus is lower.

Pictures of shingles belt

Shingles usually occurs around the ribcage or waist. They grow around that area like a belt. The belt can cover a large area of ​​the body, making it very difficult for us to wear clothes that are a bit tight.

Pictures of shingles eye nerve

Shingles eye nerve can cause dangerous complications

Shingles in the eye affects the nerve that controls sensation and facial movement. The disease will appear as a rash around the eyes, on the forehead and nose, accompanied by a headache.

Other symptoms include redness and swelling of the eyes, inflammation of the cornea or iris and eyelids. Shingles of the eye can also cause blurred vision

Widespread shingles

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20% of people with shingles develop a rash around multiple areas of Dermatomes. Dermatomes are distinct areas of skin linked by spinal nerves.

When the rash affects three or more areas of dermatomy, it has spread throughout the body. In these cases, the rash may resemble chickenpox. This weakens your immune system.

Infection

Large sores of any kind are susceptible to bacterial infection. To reduce the risk of secondary infection, you should keep your body clean, especially the affected area, and avoid scratching. If your immune system is weak, a secondary infection can also occur.

Severe infections can lead to permanent scarring of the skin. If you detect any signs of infection, you should see a doctor urgently for advice and prompt treatment.