The first symptom to appear is a general sensitivity or burning sensation on the skin in the affected area. After a few days, a rash begins to erupt. It appears as a band, following the route of a nerve under the skin. The blisters dry after a few days, become crusted and gradually form scabs. Once the scabs have fallen off, a small pock-mark will be left.
Shingles is often a very painful condition.
As the virus damages the nerves, the pain may continue after the rash has cleared, sometimes lingering for weeks, months or even years. If the rash breaks out on the face near the eye, an ophthalmologist should be consulted, as there is a danger of scarring of the eye and effects on vision. Shingles during pregnancy can be particularly serious. Pregnant women suffering from chicken pox or shingles run a higher than normal risk of contracting pneumonia. In some cases, an unborn child exposed to Varicella zoster can be damaged or may be miscarried.