diagnosed with shingles but have no pain

[keri772]

I was diagnosed with shingles 3 days ago, at an urgent care. I have a horrible rash on my stomach and is extremely itchy. My question is isn't shingles painful? Everyone has been telling me how painful it is yet I have experienced nothing but itching. Was I misdiagnosed? Also, I am 41 and hearing that this is found with older people.

[maatson]

Acually pain and itch fibres are carried together on skin. So occassionally pain is perceived as itch and vice-versa. And then, postherpetic neuralgia manifests in some(Mainly in older) after a few weeks after the rash.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain. It can be found at any stage in life after a person had a previous chicken pox infection.


It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.