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Shingles rash symptoms

        One of the very few things that people might know about shingles rash symptoms is that they can be easily confused with any other type of symptoms out there. That can be both true and false at the same time. How so? Well, if we are talking about the very early shingles rash symptoms, then the last statement becomes true. Are you aware that the first of the shingles rash symptoms can appear as early as twenty years before the patient is diagnosed with shingles? Basically, from the moment when the patient has had chicken pox, as a small child, then he or she should expect to develop shingles at some point in their life.

       The connection between these two diseases goes beyond the obvious of both being skin conditions that tend to itch. The virus that causes the chicken pox is the same one that triggers the shingles years later: the varicella - zoster virus. Unfortunately, there is no way for the virus to be destroyed completely, since it is one of the smartest and well developed viruses in the world: once the first phase of its attack on the organism is finished and the chicken pox is gone, the virus does not die. It just stays latent until it can find a new way to wreak havoc on the body of the infected person. Essentially, it lays low until the shingles rash symptoms start to develop.

       Now, the patient has to keep in mind that the rash itself is a symptom of bigger things to come, but the earliest shingles rash symptoms are not so severe. At first, the spot where the shingles will develop start to throb. Just a little, in the beginning. Then some more. Eventually, the throbbing sensation will disappear, but it will be quickly replaced with a sort of phantom itch. The notion of a phantom itch is slightly more complicated to explain, but here goes: in plain, terms, the phantom itch is an itch that cannot be relieved. The patient can scratch at it all he or she wants, but it will not go away. Of course, just like with any other type of itch, it is highly recommended that the patient does not actually, actively scratch it under any circumstances.

       Once the itch subsides, but does not completely disappear, the "needles on the skin" sensation makes its debut: at first, the patient notices that the affected patch of skin only itches on contact. After a few days, the first "needles" will start to cause problems. After a while, the prickling impression is so intense that some patients have reported that they could not even wash the area because of the pain. Luckily, it last for about twenty four hours. Unfortunately, this is the last of the shingles rash symptoms. After this one, the rash appears.

Shingles rash symptoms: what comes after the rash

       Once the rash makes its appearance, there is little to be done but wait for the disease to run its course. Many patients want to know if it hurts. Well, yes, it does. More than it hurts, it itches. After all, it is a rash. The skin turns bright red and it burns when the patient touches it. The reason behind this unusual raise in temperature is the very existence of the virus right in that place: the battle between the virus cells and the body's own autoimmune cells raises the local temperature with more than two to five degrees than the surrounding area.

       Unfortunately, the rash is not the last step of the disease. The liquid - filled pustules that develop are the final phase. These little bags appear right on top of the rash and they tend to break off easily. Try to avoid that. They will dry on their own in a few days. The crust they form needs to fall of by itself. The whole disease, from start to finish, should not last more than two weeks. If you still have symptoms after two weeks, you should visit a dermatologist, if you have not done it before.