It usually appears as a single stripe of blisters that wraps around one side of your torso, or in some cases on one side of your face, neck, or around one eye. There is a vaccine available for people ages 50 and older as well as for people ages 18 and older who are immunocompromised that works to prevent shingles. RELATED: Does Medicare Cover the Shingles Vaccine? Shingles blisters most often appear on one side of the torso, notes the CDC. It can as also occur on one side of the face, or in or around the eye, or in rare cases, all over the body. And in some instances, there is no pain, says Anne Louise Oaklander, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of the nerve unit and skin biopsy lab at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. There are several factors that can lead to postherpetic neuralgia. “Anything that depresses immunity can increase your risk,” says Dr. Oaklander. She adds: “The severity of postherpetic neuralgia gradually eases over time in everyone, but the rate of resolution can vary. As you get older, your postherpetic neuralgia typically lasts longer and longer. Senior citizens, who are the most at risk for zoster, have substantial risk of postherpetic neuralgia lasting over a year, and sometimes for the rest of their lives.” “If you have a lot of pain before the rash, it puts you at much higher risk for postherpetic neuralgia,” adds Joseph Safdieh, MD, professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.
Severe painSevere rashOlder ageInvolvement of the eyeLymphoma, leukemia, and other diseases that suppress the immune systemAutoimmune conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritisHIVDiabetesRecent traumaPersonality disorder
Shingles in the eye tends to show up either inside the eyelid or on the surface of the eyeball. “The cornea is a common place to see shingles,” says Rebecca Taylor, MD, an ophthalmologist with Nashville Vision Associates in Tennessee. “It’s the clear domed tissue that you put contacts on.” Shingles also often appears on the conjunctiva, she adds, which is the clear tissue that covers the whites of your eye and the inside of your eyelid. There’s also a pattern in the rash to look out for, says Dr. Taylor. “If you have blisters on the tip of your nose, that’s a strong predictor of there being inflammation inside the eye.” Steroid eye drops and lubricating tears may also be prescribed. You should also have regular eye exams in the months and years after the episode. RELATED: What You Need to Know About Eye Exams
A painful red rash with fluid-filled blisters on, in, and around one earFacial weakness or paralysis on the same side as the affected ear
Less common symptoms include:
Ear painHearing lossRinging in your ears (tinnitus)Difficulty closing one eyeA sensation of spinning or moving (vertigo)A change in taste perception or loss of tasteDry mouth and eyes
Be sure to call your doctor if you experience any symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Prompt treatment within three days of symptoms may help prevent complications including permanent hearing loss and facial weakness. Additional reporting by Carlene Bauer. Here you’ll find a focus on the role of genetics in shingles. Research has suggested that certain genes may be associated with whether people develop shingles or post-herpetic neuropathy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The CDC has a comprehensive guide to shingles, including information about symptoms, transmission, complications, treatment, and vaccination.
