The lesion develops in several crops, each crop lasting a week or so. Ultimately the lesions rupture or dry up to form crusts which sloughs off leaving temporary pigmentation and faint scarring. The lymph glands near the affected area may be enlarged and painful. The attack lasts 2 to 3 weeks. The sequela are post herpetic neuralgia and rarely muscular paralysis.
Neuralgic pain lasts for months to years.
It is characterized by completely depigmented macules and patches of varying sizes and shapes. Besides loss of color, there is no structural change. Early lesions may be pale white and ill defined. Patches enlarge slowly and may affect the whole body. However that is rare.