People can have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where the rash will develop. This early warning sign can happen several days before the rash appears. People can also have a fever before the rash appears.

Common symptoms

The shingles rash most commonly appears in a single stripe around the left or right side of the body. The rash can also occur on one side of the face.

The rash consists of blisters that scab over in 7 to 10 days.

The rash can be more widespread on the body and look similar to a chickenpox rash. This is very rare and usually occurs in people with weakened immune systems.

In addition to the common rash, symptoms of shingles can also include:

Fever

Headaches

Chills

Upset stomach

Testimonial‎

"Five years later, I still take prescription medication for pain. My shingles rash quickly developed into open, oozing sores that, in only a few days, required me to be hospitalized. I could not eat, sleep, or perform even the most minor tasks. It was totally debilitating. The pain still limits my activity levels to this day."

-A 63-year-old harpist unable to continue playing because of shingles.

Complications

Shingles can lead to serious complications.

The most common complication of shingles is long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia, or PHN.

PHN occurs where the shingles rash was located, even after the rash clears up. It can last for months or years after the rash goes away. PHN is extremely painful and can interfere with daily life.

About 10% to 18 % of people who have shingles also experience PHN. Your risk of PHN increases with age. Compared to a younger person with shingles, an older adult with shingles is more likely to develop PHN; and have longer lasting and more severe pain. People younger than 40 years old rarely experience PHN.

Shingles on the face can affect the eye and cause vision loss.

The shingles rash can also become infected with bacteria.

Very rarely, shingles can also lead to:

Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)

Hearing problems

Brain inflammation (encephalitis)

Death

People with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience complications from shingles. They are more likely to have a severe, long-lasting rash.