The trunk is most often affected, usually with a large rash that runs from the spine around one side of the chest to the breastbone. Shingles can also appear on the neck or face and might even include the mouth or eye. Shingles may also involve the upper leg or genitalia. Shingles will usually go away on their own, however you will probably want to see your doctor, who can supply medications for the pain and the itching and burning of the blisters to help you be more comfortable. It is when there is facial nerve involvement that may cause Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome.
Shingles typically lasts about a month, however complications can make the pain last longer.
This is persistent nerve pain that remains after the shingles blisters have gone away. Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome is an uncommon form of shingles called herpes zoster oticus. Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome affects facial and auditory nerves and is considered a variant of Bell's Palsy. This may lead to facial paralysis on the involved side and to ringing of the ears, hearing disorders and dizziness. Painful lesions or blisters may occur around the ear and ear canal.