Shingles is a painful condition that is characterized by the appearance of a rash on one side or part of the body. This infection is caused by the varicella zoster virus and it causes chicken pox in childhood. The virus can erupt a second time and this is results in shingles. Shingles is more common among adults as compared to children. With shingles in children, they may be affected in around 5% of the cases.

In shingles the virus tends to lie dormant inside the nervous system. Because of some factors the virus tends to get reactivated. Children having weak immune system may get infected with this condition. Shingles in children with more than three years of age may suffer from this condition. A possibility of shingles in children increases if the child suffers from chicken pox before he/she is one year old or when the mother suffers from chicken pox during pregnancy.

With shingles children are also affected by the same virus that affects adults. This virus tends to remain dormant within the nervous system and for reasons not know the virus tends to get reactivated. Shingles among children tend to cause a rash that is rather painful and this rash follows the path of nerves that are infected.

With shingles in children, they tend to suffer from rash on one side or part of the body. The rash tends to erupt on the back, chest or abdomen regions. In children the rash tends to erupt in clusters of small red bumps. With time these blisters tend to be filled with fluid and then dry crusts are formed. The pain associated with this rash is quite intense however shingles in children may be less painful as compared to adults.

With shingles children may not experience other symptoms like fever and nausea. Any new rashes with shingles among children may be observed for many days. The rash tends to dry up in around 10 days. Some complications may occur with this infection and this includes the rash affecting areas of the face like nose or eyes. Such complications need prompt medical intervention.

With shingles children can be treated with some pain medication other than aspirin. It is advisable for the child to stay home till the time the rash develops crusts. It is also advisable for children to avoid touching or scratching the rash. Shingles among children is not deemed to be contagious. However children having shingles may be able to transmit chicken pox to other individuals. Chicken pox vaccine cannot prevent shingles among children. Medical attention should be sought if the rash seems to be infected or does not clear in 10 to 14 days.