When the virus that was responsible for chickenpox becomes reactivated within the human body at a later stage, the resulting illness is known as shingles. Early indications of this disease can include everything from being too sensitive to light, to headaches, and flu-like symptoms that persist for a number of weeks without a fever. It is also possible for people who suffer from shingles to experience instances of tingling, itching, or pain where a strip or band of rash-like skin might appear several weeks or days later.
When it comes to understanding where do shingles appear first, it’s worth noting that you could get your rash on any part of the body although you will only see the spots and itchy skin on one side of the body, whether the right side or the left side. At first, the rash will appear in the form of blisters, which then turn into scabs and eventually begin to clear from the skin within a few weeks. This rash is one of the clearest signs of shingles.
Understanding the Shingles Rash
Most people who have experienced shingles in the past suggest that the band or rash that is caused by this disease is more painful to experience than it is itchy. The roots of the nerves that supply feeling to the skin of your body run in vast networks across each part of your body. When the virus associated with chickenpox is reactivated and causes shingles, that virus moves through the nerve roots into the area of the skin that is supplied by the roots. This is often why the rash ends up wrapping around either the right or left side of the body, often from the center of the back towards the chest. Some people find that shingles rashes occur around a single eye or on the face, and some other experience rashes in numerous parts of the body.
As mentioned above, the first stage of the shingles rash will appear as blisters, which are filled with clear fluid to begin with, which may then turn cloudy after three to four days. Some people will not get any rash at all. A rash may also be found on the forehead, cheek, nose, or around one eye, which might threaten your sight without correct treatment. During the active rash stage, pain that is described as needles piercing the skin might occur along with the rash, and blisters might break open and ooze for about five days.
The Stage Before the Rash Appears
In the stage before the rash starts, you might experience symptoms of tickling, burning, tingling, pain, or numbness in the affected area. It may take several weeks or days for a rash to appear, and the discomfort may occur first on the back or chest, but it may also occur on the head, stomach, neck, face, or one arm or leg. Flu like symptoms can also occur such as stomach aches, chills, diarrhea, swelling, and tenderness within the lymph nodes.
If you feel any of these symptoms relate to your particular problem, you should visit a doctor as quickly as possible to receive treatment.
