BLOG What you need to know about shingles

If you’ve had chickenpox at some point in your life, you could be at risk of developing shingles later on. While chickenpox usually clears up after a few weeks, the virus that causes it doesn’t completely leave your body. Instead, it lies dormant in the nerve cells near your spine, where it can become active again, leading to shingles.

Most people who have had chickenpox are at risk, especially after the age of 50. But certain factors increase your chances of developing shingles, such as:

• Being over the age of 50 (especially if you're over 80)
• A weakened immune system (due to conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Recent organ or bone-marrow transplants
• Undergoing chemotherapy
• Experiencing high levels of stress

While shingles can occur at any age, it’s much more common in people over 50. Fortunately, most people only experience shingles once in their lifetime but some can get it more than once.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

The early symptoms of shingles are often subtle, starting with a burning, tingling, or itchy feeling on one side of the body and feeling generally unwell. This discomfort is usually followed by a red rash with fluid-filled blisters, similar to chickenpox. These blisters will dry up, form a crust, and then heal over time.

It’s important to note that while shingles look like chickenpox, they tend to be more painful and less itchy. Some people may experience pain without any visible rash, while others may have a rash with minimal discomfort.

Shingles can also lead to complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia – a condition where the affected area remains painful or sensitive long after the rash has healed. This happens because the virus can cause nerve damage.

Additionally, if the blisters are near your eyes, there’s a risk of vision impairment. In severe cases, shingles can cause problems like facial paralysis, hearing issues, or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Shingles can be uncomfortable, but with the right treatment and advice from your community pharmacist, you can manage the symptoms and reduce the chances of complications.

Shingles treatment

If you catch shingles early, antiviral medications, used within a couple of days of the rash appearing, can help reduce symptoms, control the rash, and minimise nerve damage. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help manage discomfort, but if the pain is severe, stronger medications may be prescribed.

Keeping the rash clean and dry is crucial to prevent infection. Covering the rash also helps reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others, as someone who hasn’t had chickenpox could catch it from contact with shingles blisters.

Your community pharmacist can do more for you

Your community pharmacist can provide advice and treatments for managing shingles. They can guide you on the best pain relief options and any antiviral medications prescribed by your GP. In some states and territories, certain pharmacies are able to provide antivirals directly to eligible patients.

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of shingles, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local community pharmacy for advice on the next steps. Your community pharmacist can help you manage the pain and ensure you get the right treatment.