One of the most obvious symptoms of the painful viral disease shingles is fluid-filled blisters (although it's possible to develop shingles without blisters appearing). If you have shingles, it's important to treat these blisters with care, as they can not only damage your skin, but fluid from them can actually spread disease.
Causes
Shingles occurs when the chickenpox virus (varicella zoster) reactivates in the body. The virus reactivation causes the symptoms of shingles to appear.
Symptom
Fluid-filled blisters form after a painful rash appears on the body. This event usually happens a few days after the first symptoms of shingles--pain and tingling--occur.
Duration
The blisters usually occur for 7 to 10 days, after which they crust and fall off. The skin underneath the blisters might change color, sometimes permanently.
Treatment
Scratching the blisters may give you an infection and/or spread infection. Medicated anti-itching lotion or astringents can help ease itching.
Contagion
While you can't give shingles to anyone, the fluid from shingles blisters can spread chickenpox to people who haven't had the disease. Stay away from infants or pregnant women until the blisters are completely healed.
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