Every year tens of thousands of us are struck down by shingles, a painful infection that's kept This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby away from the famous sofa this week.
But what actually is shingles?
It's a virus that causes a painful rash to break out anywhere on your body, but usually affects your chest and tummy.
The rash appears as blotches on your skin, like a single stripe of blisters that generally wraps around the left or right side of your torso.
Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus — which is the same virus that causes chickenpox, says the NHS.
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Shingles is the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which most of us will have caught by the time we're ten.
But the virus never actually 'goes away' and hides within us before 'breaking out' as shingles.
The Shingles Support Society (SSS) says this can happen at any age, but is more likely as we get older.
They explained that red patches are usually the first sign of the rash appearing, but there can often be itching, tingling or burning under the skin, pain around the area and 'fluid-filled blisters' that burst and turn into sores before they dry out.
In some cases the rash - which is usually rather painful - can take up to five weeks to heal.
People are urged to call 111 or visit the doctor as soon as they suspect shingles, as they may need medication.
How can I treat it at home?
For treating shingles at home, the NHS website advises taking paracetamol, keeping the rash clean and dry, wearing loose-fitting clothing and using a cool compress a few times a day.
It warns against letting dressings or plasters stick to the rash or using antibiotic cream.
The health service also urges those infected to stay away from certain groups of people to avoid spreading chickenpox, including pregnant people who have not had chickenpox before, people with a weakened immune system and babies less than a month old.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The symptoms can vary from person to person, but typically include:
- Rash: Shingles often presents as a rash that appears as a band or strip of red, blistered skin, usually on one side of the body or face. The rash can be painful and it may itch.
- Pain: Pain is a common symptom of shingles and can be severe. The feeling can be described as burning, tingling, or shooting and may be localised to the area where the rash appears.
- Sensitivity to touch: The skin affected by the shingles rash may be sensitive to touch, and even light touch or pressure can cause pain.
- Blistering: The rash may develop into fluid-filled blisters that can break open and crust over. The blisters are usually limited to the area where the rash appears and do not cross the midline of the body.
- Itching: Some people with shingles may experience itching or tingling before the rash appears.
- Flu-like symptoms: In some cases, people with shingles may also experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and chills.
- Nerve-related symptoms: Shingles can affect the nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the area where the rash appears.
It's important to note that shingles can be a painful and uncomfortable condition.
If you believe you have it, be sure to see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Early intervention can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.
