Shingles

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus can remain dormant in the body and reactivate years later, causing shingles. Here are the common symptoms of shingles:

Pain, Burning, or Tingling Sensation: Typically, these sensations occur on one side of the body or face before any rash appears, and they can be intense.
Red Rash: A few days after the pain starts, a red rash typically appears in the same area where the pain was felt. It usually starts as small, red spots that develop into blisters.
Blisters: The rash progresses into clusters of fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over in 7 to 10 days. The appearance of blisters is often compared to chickenpox.
Itching: Some people experience itching in the area of the rash.
Fever: This can occur along with other flu-like symptoms such as chills, headache, and fatigue.
Sensitivity to Light: Some individuals may experience sensitivity to light along with other symptoms.
Localized Skin Sensitivity: The skin where the rash appears may be highly sensitive to touch.
The symptoms typically affect a small section of the body and mirror the nerve paths affected by the virus. The most common area affected is a band around one side of the torso, but shingles can appear anywhere on the body, including the face and eyes, which can be particularly serious.