Shingles is a viral infection that creates a rash. According to data from the Government: “Around one in 5 people have had chickenpox develop shingles. “This means that every year in England and Wales, tens of thousands of people will get shingles”. Due to the high number of diagnoses that occur every year, knowing the symptoms and when to call 111 is essential.
Since shingles develop into a rash on the skin, it is certain this is where symptoms will start to appear.
Specifically, with a tingling or painful sensation in an area of the skin.
Shingles can appear in any area of the body, from the most visible to the most private.
As well as a tingling sensation in the skin, a headache will start to develop or a patient may start to feel generally unwell.
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It is at this point that the person in question must call 111 to get advice on next steps.
A few days after the tingling begins, the NHS warns that a rash will appear on the skin.
This rash will appear as blotches on the skin and on just one side of the body.
If the rash is on both sides, it is unlikely to be shingles, says the NHS.
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In the aftermath of shingles, the skin can remain painful, but importantly, it will get better over time.
Whilst you have shingles try to stay away from certain groups to avoid infecting them with chickenpox.
This means avoiding groups such as pregnant women who have not had chickenpox before, this means people with a weakened immune system and babies under the age of a month.
A note, although someone can get chickenpox from someone with shingles, they cannot get shingles from someone with chickenpox.
