Shingles Recovery Time From Rash to Relief

Shingles typically clears up in three to five weeks, but it’s not always a straightforward recovery. For some, the aftermath includes postherpetic neuralgia—a painful condition that can last for months or even years after the rash heals.

Three Main Phases of Shingles

Shingles develops in three main stages. The duration of each stage can differ between individuals.

Pre-Eruptive Phase

The pre-eruptive phase begins at least 48 hours before any blisters or rash appear. It starts with pain or burning sensations in the affected skin. You might also experience other symptoms, including:

• Headaches
• Sensitivity to light
• General feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Acute Eruptive Phase

During the acute eruptive phase, blisters form and usually dry out within seven to 10 days. Pain in this stage can be severe and might not be relieved by over-the-counter pain medications.

Shingles rashes typically appear as a single strip around the left or right side of the body. The rash can appear in the following places:

• Trunk area
• Back
• Belly
• Chest
• Face

When the rash develops on the face, it can affect the eye and cause vision loss. Although rare, people with weakened immune systems can develop more widespread rashes that look like chickenpox.

Once the blisters crust over, the rash usually disappears in two to four weeks.

Chronic Phase

The chronic phase, marked by the occurrence of PHN, is the last phase of shingles. It’s characterized by pain that can last months to years. Not everyone who has shingles will have PHN.

What Are the Worst Days of Shingles?

Pain, itching, and burning sensations usually peak about four to five days after the rash appears. For most people with healthy immune systems, this phase lasts no longer than 10 days.

People who experience postherpetic neuralgia can have lasting, severe pain and other nerve-related issues. The effects of PHN can be incredibly frustrating to deal with. In some cases, PHN-related pain may interfere with daily activities and require prescription medications to control long after the rash has gone away.

Other Symptoms

The virus that causes shingles affects the body’s nerve fibers. This can lead to symptoms like itching and tingling, in addition to pain.

Other symptoms shingles can cause include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

Symptoms usually improve towards the end of the acute eruptive phase when the rash clears.

Common Shingles Complications

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 10% to 18% of people who have had shingles will get PHN. People under 40 years old are highly unlikely to get PHN.

Postherpetic neuralgia refers to pain that lasts beyond three months after the initial shingles rash. The pain can be described as burning, pruritic (itchy), sharp, or stabbing and can be constant or intermittent. There is also usually allodynia, which is pain that is caused by something that otherwise would not cause pain, such as light touch. PHN can last anywhere from a few weeks to years.

People with weakened immune systems are more likely to have shingles complications than other individuals. Risk factors for developing PHN include increased age, larger rash size, and increased levels of rash pain.

Other shingles complications include:

When Will You Start Feeling Better?

People who develop PHN may feel unwell for quite a while after the initial shingles outbreak. PHN symptoms can be so severe that they interfere with your sleep and daily life.

There is no way to predict how long PHN will last. Some people have PHN for a few months; others have it for a few years. Some people experience PHN symptoms for the rest of their lives.

Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to have PHN. If you do not develop PHN, you can expect to start feeling better within 10 days after the shingles rash develops.

Shingles Treatment

There is no cure for shingles, but there is treatment available to help manage the condition.

The mainstay treatment for shingles is a prescription antiviral medication. Antivirals work best when taken as soon as possible after the shingles rash develops, ideally within three days.

Antivirals will help reduce the severity and length of the infection and minimize the chance of developing a serious complication from shingles. The three antivirals most commonly prescribed include:

• Zovirax (acyclovir)
• Valtrex (valacyclovir)
• Famciclovir

Other treatments for shingles include over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as pain relievers like Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen). If the pain is severe, a healthcare provider may prescribe a corticosteroid to help reduce rash inflammation and pain.

At-Home Treatments

Home treatments for shingles include calamine lotion, cool compresses, and colloidal oatmeal baths. These therapies may help alleviate itching and discomfort from the shingles rash.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends following these steps to treat the rash until it heals:

• Wash the rash area with fragrance-free soap.
• Once dry, put a thin layer of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) on the rash.
• Cover the rash with a nonstick sterile bandage.
• Wash your hands after touching the rash.

Self-care is an important step in managing the symptoms, too. It includes:

• Resting
• Eating healthy meals
• Using distractions to keep your mind off the symptoms (e.g., TV, music, or board games)
• Minimizing stress
• Wearing clothes that are breathable and loose

Can You Catch Shingles From Someone Else?

Shingles can only occur if someone has had chicken pox. Shingles is not contagious. It occurs when the immune system is weakened and the virus resurfaces, causing the shingles rash.

With that said, if someone comes into contact with the fluid from a shingles blister, they could get chickenpox if they have not had the chickenpox vaccine or a chickenpox infection. They would not get shingles from contact with a shingles blister.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

See a healthcare provider as soon as you suspect a shingles rash has appeared. It’s best not to delay, since waiting longer than three days to have a shingles rash treated greatly increases the risk of developing PHN.

A healthcare provider will be able to diagnose the rash based on a physical exam and your medical history. If they are not sure if the rash is shingles, they can have it tested.

If the diagnosis is shingles, expect to be given an antiviral prescription and suggestions on how to care for the rash at home. The first couple of weeks can be painful; don’t be afraid to reach out to your healthcare provider for ways to minimize pain.

You should also see a healthcare provider if:

• The shingles rash looks infected (with swelling or pus).
• You are still in pain after the rash goes away.
• You still feel sick after the rash goes away.

Since shingles that affects the eye can result in vision loss, it’s also important to see a healthcare provider if the rash gets close to your eye.