The vesicles are painful, and their development is often associated with the occurrence of flu-like symptoms. Although any vertebral dermatome may be involved, T5 and T6 are most commonly affected. The most frequently involved cranial nerve dermatome is the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. The vesicles crust over within seven to Postherpetic neuralgia is defined as pain that persists for longer than one to three months after resolution of the rash. Affected patients usually report constant burning, lancinating pain.
Symptoms tend to abate over time.
Less than one quarter of patients still experience pain at six months after the shingles eruption, and fewer than one in 20 has pain at one year. Treatment of shingles Antiviral agents have been shown to decrease the duration of shingles rash and the severity of pain associated with the rash.