Shingles causes a painful, itchy, and blistering rash. The blisters fill with fluid but will eventually crust over and disappear during the course of the infection. Treatment includes antivirals to help lessen the severity, along with oatmeal baths and calamine lotion to ease discomfort.
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop shingles as the virus lays dormant in the body.
When shingles appears, it often starts as a burning or tingling sensation on the area of skin where the rash will appear. They then develop a blistering rash.
What does a shingles blister look like?
Shingles appears on the skin, often as a stripe or small patch. It typically affects only one side of the body. It often appears on the face or torso of the body, though it can appear anywhere.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), the rash often appears as a cluster of small blisters. The skin beneath the blisters is often inflamed.
The rash is often red in color on lighter skin tones, but it may appear purple, pinkish, or brown on darker skin tones.
People with a weakened immune system may develop a widespread rash. In these cases, it may resemble chickenpox.
How to treat a shingles blister and ease discomfort
A person should contact a doctor when they suspect they have shingles. A doctor can prescribe antiviral medication to help reduce the severity and duration of the infection.
In the meantime, the following can help a person ease any discomfort:
- Taking a colloidal oatmeal bath in cool or lukewarm water or applying calamine lotion to soothe the skin.
- Applying a clean, cool, damp washcloth or cool compress to ease pain and dry the blisters.
- Keeping the area of skin clean to help prevent the blisters from becoming infected.
- Avoiding scratching the blisters to reduce the risk of infection.
The AAD notes that a person can apply the damp washcloth for 5–10 minutes several times a day. It also suggests the following steps to care for the blisters and rash:
- Washing the rash using a fragrance-free cleanser.
- Applying a layer of pure petroleum jelly.
- Covering the rash with a new, sterile, and nonstick bandage.
- Washing the hands after touching the rash to avoid spreading shingles to others.
- A person should perform these steps every day until the rash clears.
Other ways for a person to cope with shingles include:
- taking part in activities that distract the mind, such as reading, watching television, listening to music, or
- talking with friends and family
- wearing loose-fitting clothing
- getting plenty of rest
- eating well-balanced meals
- avoiding stress, if possible
- stretching or walking, if a doctor says it is OK to do so
When to contact a doctor
People should consult a doctor within 2–3 days after developing the rash. Beginning treatment within this time frame can help to:
- reduce symptoms
- shorten the duration of the infection
- reduce the risk of complications
If people develop a shingles rash on the face, they should contact a doctor urgently. This is because shingles can affect the eye and result in vision loss. People should also contact a doctor if the blisters show any signs of infection.
