Medical experts have shared advice and information on Shingles as many people across the UK have been suffering with the viral infection that causes a painful rash. It comes as ITV host Holly Willoughby is off from presenting This Morning for a “few days” due to having shingles.
In an Instagram post, Holly said: “Hi… Just to let you know I may be away for the rest of the week as I have shingles… I’ll be back as soon as I’m better. Huge love, Holly.”
The NHS says those who suspect they have the condition are advised to get advice from 111 as soon as possible. Anyone who has the illness is also advised to stay away from certain groups. The NHS states that you cannot spread shingles to others. But people who have not had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you. This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.
A spokesperson for the NHS explains: "You cannot get shingles from someone with shingles or chickenpox. But you can get chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before."
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The infection, which causes a painful rash, is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.
According to Mayo Clinic, the varicella-zoster virus stays in your body and when it is re-activated, blotches appear on the skin and patients report feeling generally unwell and like they have a headache.
A shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for people in their 70s. It helps reduce your risk of getting shingles.
What are the first signs:
- a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
- a headache or feeling generally unwell
A rash will appear a few days later.
The NHS says usually people get the shingles rash on the chest and tummy, but it can appear anywhere on your body including on your face, eyes and genitals.
The rash appears as blotches on your skin, on one side of your body only. A rash on both the left and right of your body is unlikely to be shingles.
A spokesperson for the NHS states: "The rash may be in and around your eye, making it sore and red. It can affect your sight or hearing and make it hard to move one side of your face. The rash can form a cluster that only appears on one side of your body. The skin remains painful until after the rash has gone.
"The blotches become itchy blisters that ooze fluid. A few days later, the blisters dry out and scab."
What to do:
- Get advice from 111 as soon as possible
You might need medicine to help speed up your recovery and avoid longer-lasting problems.
This works best if taken within 3 days of your symptoms starting.
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
How long will it last?
- It can take up to 4 weeks for the rash to heal.
- Your skin can be painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.
Stay away from certain groups:
- pregnant people who have not had chickenpox before
- people with a weakened immune system – like someone having chemotherapy
- babies less than 1 month old – unless you gave birth to them, as your baby should be protected from the virus by your immune system
Stay off work or school if the rash is still oozing fluid (weeping) and cannot be covered, or until the rash has dried out.
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