Shingles

Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, known as varicella-zoster. After experiencing chickenpox in childhood, the virus remains dormant in the nerves and can reactivate years later, leading to shingles. It typically manifests as a band of blisters on one side of the body, accompanied by pain, itching, and sensitivity. Shingles can affect anyone who had chickenpox, but it's more common in older adults or those with weakened immune systems. Vaccines are available to reduce the risk of developing shingles or lessen its severity.