Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a disease caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that leads to chickenpox. The virus can remain dormant in your nerve cells for decades without presenting any symptoms.
Shingles most commonly occurs in people over the age of 50. About
The rash can appear on any part of your body, but it typically appears on one side of your trunk or torso. The location of a shingles rash depends on which nerve in your body the virus spreads from. Usually, the rash is contained in one or two areas of your skin called dermatomes.
Keep reading as we take a look at how and why shingles follows along nerve paths.
Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. Only people who’ve had chickenpox or chickenpox vaccines can develop shingles. Having a chickenpox vaccine can lead to shingles because the vaccine contains the virus that causes chickenpox.
Shingles isn’t contagious, but people who have not had chickenpox can develop chickenpox if they come in contact with open blisters of somebody with shingles.
After your body fights off a chickenpox infection, the herpes zoster virus remains dormant in your
The virus reactivates when your immune system is no longer able to suppress it. Reactivation most commonly occurs in older adults because the immune system tends to get weaker with age, as well as in people with suppressed immune systems.
Once the virus is active, it
Once the virus gets to the end of these sensory nerves, it reaches your skin and usually leads to a rash. This rash often shows up in one or two nearby areas of skin called dermatomes.

You have
A dermatome is an area of your skin where the sensation is supplied by one spinal nerve.
For example, the C5 spinal nerve found on the right side of your body is responsible for delivering sensory information from your right collarbone and upper shoulder to your spinal cord and brain. All the skin in this region is one dermatome.
Shingles rashes tend to form along one or two dermatomes on one side of your body. Their location depends on which nerve the virus spreads from. The rash doesn’t cross the midline of your body because each spinal nerve supplies sensory information only for the left or right side of your body.
As the herpes zoster virus travels along your sensory nerves, it can cause damage and inflammation that leads to pain, even after your rash disappears.
Postherpetic neuralgia
The most common long-term complication of shingles is a condition called postherpetic neuralgia.
Postherpetic neuralgia refers to pain or intense itchiness that lasts after a shingles rash heals. It’s estimated that
Most people recover from postherpetic neuralgia within a year, but in some cases, it can be permanent.
Motor nerve damage
The herpes zoster virus can also infect the nerves that help you move your muscles. It’s thought that about
Cranial nerve damage
In some cases, the herpes zoster virus affects one of the major nerves in your head called cranial nerves. Less than
This syndrome can cause symptoms such as:
- facial paralysis on one side
- ear pain
- blisters in your ear
- changes in taste in the front two-thirds of your tongue
- dry eyes
- hearing loss
- vertigo
- tinnitus
Damaged sensory nerves can lead to a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, in which pain persists after your rash disappears.
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants, such as
Antidepressants
A wide range of antidepressants may be used at low dosages to help manage pain. One group of antidepressants commonly used for this purpose is tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.
Opioids
Opioid medications are effective at treating nerve pain, but doctors are often reluctant to prescribe them unless other options fail. Opioids are often the last resort because of their potential to lead to dependence or overdose. Prescription opioids include:
- hydrocodone
- oxymorphone
- morphine
- codeine
- fentanyl
Topical local anesthetics
Two types of creams are commonly used to help manage nerve pain. Lidocaine is
Postherpetic neuralgia can be very painful, but here are some things you can do at home to lessen your discomfort:
- wear comfortable clothing made from cotton or silk to reduce irritation
- apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the sore area
- eat a balanced diet
- get plenty of rest
- minimize stress
- exercise regularly
The same virus that causes chickenpox can also cause shingles. The virus can remain dormant in your nerves for decades after chickenpox infection before becoming active again.
Once reactivated, the virus spreads to your skin by traveling down your nerves. The area that your rash appears on depends on which nerve the virus travels from.
Shingles is thought to appear when your immune system is no longer able to suppress the virus. Keeping your immune system healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and minimizing stress may help reduce your chance of developing shingles. You can also get one of two FDA-approved shingles vaccines.