Shingles treatment in Southport — start antivirals within 72 hours

What is shingles?

Shingles (herpes zoster) is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in your nerve tissue. Years later, it can reactivate as shingles.

Under NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacist can assess your symptoms and prescribe antiviral tablets immediately if appropriate.

Symptoms of shingles

• A painful, burning, or tingling feeling on one side of the body — often before the rash appears
• A red rash that develops after 2–3 days, usually as a stripe on one side of the trunk, face, or neck
• Fluid-filled blisters that break open and crust over
• Sensitivity to touch in the affected area
• Itching, numbness, or a feeling like an electric shock
• Headache, fever, or fatigue

How we treat it

The main treatment for shingles is antiviral medication, which works best when started early:

• Antiviral tablets (aciclovir, valaciclovir, or famciclovir) — for 7 days. Must be started within 72 hours of rash onset to be most effective.
• Pain relief — paracetamol, ibuprofen, or prescribed stronger pain relief if needed
• Topical treatment — calamine lotion or cool compresses for the rash
• Wound care advice — keeping the rash covered and clean to prevent spreading

Post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain that continues after the rash heals) can be prevented or reduced by starting antivirals early.

What causes shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which stays dormant in nerve tissue after a chickenpox infection. It can reactivate when your immune system is weakened by age (most common after 50), stress, illness, or certain medications.

You cannot catch shingles from someone with shingles, but you can catch chickenpox from the blisters if you have never had it before.