The Signs and Symptoms of Shingles

The signs and symptoms of shingles can sometimes be misleading, that is why all symptoms should first be observed before concluding that the disease is shingles. The first sign of shingles include an unexplainable painful area on the body, characterized by tingling and burning sensations, itching, or a lightning bolt pain. The affected person can also experience fever, chills, and headache. After a few days, the rashes and bumps will start to appear on the area where the pain occurred, typically in a belt-like or strip form. The bumps start to fill with pus, and after 10-12 days, the rashes form into scabs.

After the scabs have fallen off, the result may be a scar. Sometimes, even if the rashes are gone, the person still feels the pain on that area. This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia which may occur to almost 15% of all people who develop shingles, mostly those over 50 years old.

For some people, especially younger ones with healthy and strong bodies, having shingles is a passing event that will eventually cure itself. This is true most of the time for young people. But for older ones, especially those who have other serious diseases like cancer or heart problems, the effects of shingles may not be as easy to manage.   The first thing that a person should do in case the symptoms of shingles appear on a part of his body is to consult a medical professional. If the person has a medical condition, he should immediately inform his physician so that prompt and proper treatment may be provided.  If you are left with dark marks on the skin afterwards, you can check out a cream like Meladerm skin lightener to even things out.

Shingles may not be as serious as other skin disorders like skin cancer and psoriasis, but having a skin disorder in itself is a problem that should be treated immediately. Never take any health problem lightly because you never know what complications it may cause.