Shingles: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Shingles?
A primary care doctor, who handles everyday health problems, can usually diagnose and treat shingles. A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, or an eye doctor may also help if the rash is on the face or near the eye. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is shingles?
Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash. It is also called herpes zoster. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.
After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It stays inactive in certain nerves. Shingles happens when the virus becomes active again, often after many years.
Symptoms
The first symptom is usually pain, tingling, or burning on one side of the body. The pain can be severe and is usually there before any rash shows up.
Red patches on the skin form in most people, followed by small blisters. The blisters break and form small sores that dry and crust over. The crusts fall off in 2 to 3 weeks. The rash usually covers a narrow area from the spine around to the front of the belly or chest. It may instead involve the face, eyes, mouth, and ears.
Other symptoms can include:
- Fever and chills.
- A general ill feeling.
- Headache.
- Joint pain.
- Swollen glands, which are lymph nodes.
Shingles in or near the ear can cause hearing or balance problems and weak muscles on that side of the face. Shingles that affects the eye can cause vision loss. These problems can be temporary or permanent.
Causes and who gets it
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. The risk goes up as you get older. It is not clear why the virus becomes active again. Having chickenpox before age 1 also raises the risk.
A weak immune system, which is the body's defense against germs, raises the risk too. This includes people with HIV, certain cancers, or medicines like steroids and organ transplant drugs. Your immune system may also be weaker when you have an infection or are stressed.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor can usually diagnose shingles by looking at your skin and asking about your medical history. Sometimes the doctor scrapes tissue from the rash or swabs fluid from the blisters and sends it to a lab. Blood tests cannot confirm that a rash is shingles.
Treatment
There is no cure for shingles. Antiviral medicines, which fight viruses, can help. They may make the attack shorter and less severe, and they may help prevent long-lasting nerve pain. It is best to start them before the blisters appear. So if you think you might have shingles, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Other treatments can ease symptoms:
- Pain medicines. A cream made with capsaicin, an extract of pepper, may also reduce pain.
- Antihistamines to reduce itching.
- Corticosteroids, strong medicines that may lower swelling and pain. They do not work in all people.
- Cool, wet compresses, soothing baths, calamine lotion, and oatmeal baths.
To avoid spreading the virus, keep the rash covered, do not touch or scratch it, and wash your hands often.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of shingles, especially if you have a weakened immune system or your symptoms last or get worse. Get emergency medical care right away if shingles affects your eye. Without it, shingles in the eye may lead to permanent blindness.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or a sudden change in mental state, such as confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can look at a new rash, start treatment quickly, and help you reach an eye doctor or skin doctor when needed.
Common questions
Is shingles contagious?
No, shingles itself is not contagious, and you cannot get it from someone else. But you can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles if you touch fluid from their rash. The risk of spreading the virus is low if the rash is kept covered.
Can you get shingles more than once?
Yes, but it is rare.
How long does shingles last?
Shingles usually clears in 2 to 3 weeks. Pain in the area can last for months to years in some people. This pain is called postherpetic neuralgia.
What is postherpetic neuralgia?
It is the most common complication of shingles, and it causes severe pain in the areas where you had the rash. It usually gets better in a few weeks or months, but some people have pain for many years.
Is there a vaccine for shingles?
Yes. A vaccine called Shingrix helps prevent shingles and its complications. The CDC recommends it for healthy adults 50 years and older. It is given in two doses. Your doctor might also recommend it if you are over 19 and have a weakened immune system.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
