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What Causes Shingles?

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Posted on Thu, 29 Sep 2016
Question: How and where on the body does shingles usually appear???
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can occur anywhere

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Shingles can technically appear anywhere in the body though it is more common as a single or localized band of rash on one side of the body particularly in the waist area.
It can also occur in the face.

It is usually painful and in some cases there may be pain or itching in the days before the rash develops. This pain then continues when the rash occurs.

If there is no significant pain associated with your rash then it is not likely shingles.
The rash may be due to inflammation of the skin in this area or infection/inflammation of the hair follicles in the area.

Steroid creams would help with inflammation but would not necessarily help with shingles.
Antiviral creams along with pain medication would help shingles.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Shingles?

Brief Answer: can occur anywhere Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Shingles can technically appear anywhere in the body though it is more common as a single or localized band of rash on one side of the body particularly in the waist area. It can also occur in the face. It is usually painful and in some cases there may be pain or itching in the days before the rash develops. This pain then continues when the rash occurs. If there is no significant pain associated with your rash then it is not likely shingles. The rash may be due to inflammation of the skin in this area or infection/inflammation of the hair follicles in the area. Steroid creams would help with inflammation but would not necessarily help with shingles. Antiviral creams along with pain medication would help shingles. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions