Shingles is a painful condition that is marked by the appearance of a skin rash. This skin rash is also referred to as shingles blisters and this rash is caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus belongs to the herpes family. After a person suffers from chicken pox the virus remains within the nervous system and this virus tends to remain dormant or latent. However in some cases this virus tends to get reactivated.

The shingles blisters are caused when the virus is reactivated following weakening of the immune system. Emotional stress and illnesses like HIV and cancer can result in weakening of immune system. A person suffering from cancer may undergo chemotherapy and this can also result in weakening of the immune system.

Any individual who has suffered from chicken pox may be at a risk of getting shingles blisters. However in most cases the people suffering from shingles condition are more than 60 years of age. Before the appearance of the blisters the patients tend to experience increased sensitivity of the skin along with intense and burning pain.

The shingles blisters tend to erupt on red skin base and new blisters tend to form for around 3 to 5 days. The blisters appear in a belt or band like pattern as they follow paths of nerves. With time the blisters are filled with fluid and then they pop. The area then crusts over and heals. The outbreak may last for a period of around 3 to 4 weeks.

In some rare cases shingles blisters may not at all erupt and yet the patient may experience intense pain. This can make diagnosis problematic. Shingles is a contagious condition and may spread from infected individuals to others who have not suffered from chicken pox. These individuals then are at a risk of suffering from shingles at some later point of time in life.

The condition is particularly contagious when shingles blisters are present. Direct contact with the blister fluid can result in the condition spreading to other people. The virus cannot spread once the blisters crust over. The treatment for this condition requires the patient to take some antiviral medication including acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. This treatment can help in reducing the severity of the condition along with its duration.

Individuals having shingles blisters should try and keep the affected areas clean. The areas can be cleaned with water and soap. Anti itching creams and lotions including calamine lotion can be applied locally and cool compresses can be used to get relief from the pain. Aluminum acetate solution may be used for drying out of the blisters. In some rare cases the shingles blisters may get infected with bacteria and this can result in cellulitis. In this case the skin tends to become red, firm, warm and tender. Red streaks may be observed around the wound. This complication can be treated with some antibiotics. If the shingles condition affects the forehead, nose or eye regions then immediate medical help should be sought.

Shingles affecting the eye can result in blindness in some cases. Postherpetic neuralgia is a common complication with shingles. In this complication the nerve pain related with shingles may continue even after the rash disappears. Such pain may last for around one month after the disappearance of the virus.