First symptoms of shingles that should not be ignored

Shingles is a viral disease that is characterized by a painful rash. Shingles can remain dormant in the human body for a really long time, waiting to become triggered by certain favorable conditions. Learn about the symptoms of this surprisingly annoying disease to avoid getting caught off guard by it.

Painful Blisters

Blisters are not that harmless that they may seem at the first glance. Quite often people are mistaking skin damage caused by shingles with spider bites. Try your best to monitor your skin condition at all times and seek medical attention as soon as first symptoms appear — medication is the most effective during first three days after the appearance of the rash. Monitor any changes in your symptoms as well. It may turn out that your disease is not shingles, however, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pay a visit to a doctor.

Skin irritation on one side of the body

Skin irritation is one of the main symptoms characteristic of shingles. Shingles only appear on one side of the body, it never covers both sides. If you have a rash and other symptoms on both sides, then probably it’s not shingles.

Light sensitivity

If you’re experiencing a sudden sensitivity to both daylight and fluorescent light, probably your body is struggling with a disease. According to specialists, light sensitivity may lead to a mild migraine. This symptom is a clear indication that you must seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Flu-like symptoms

You had received the seasonal influenza vaccine, but you’re still experiencing flu-like symptoms? Most likely, you have shingles. The main symptoms of shingles are quite similar to the symptoms of flu: body aches, tiredness, and low-grade fever can be caused by the skin disease. If these symptoms retain for a couple of days and you’re 100% sure that it’s not just a cold, we recommend that you visit a doctor and check for shingles.

Bands of red bumps

Red bumps that are forming bands (or stripes) on your skin are one of the first symptoms of shingles. The rash can appear anywhere on the body and usually spreads in a stripe pattern. If you’ve noticed this on your skin, this is a certain sign of shingles. Bands of inflamed red bumps are always serious sign and should be immediately treated by a qualified medical personnel.

Acute pain

If you’re suffering from shingles for a long time and its state is growing more serious, a constant discomfort caused by it can be replaced by pain attacks. They’re characterized by acute pain, severe itching, and tingling. Usually, patients experience discomfort on the chest and on the back. If you’re suffering from acute pain, seek medical help as soon as possible. This state is not normal and should not be ignored by any means.