The main symptom of shingles is a rash. These blisters turn into dry, hard tissue called scabs.

The skin on your body is healing and you can protect it with shingles scabs. It can take several weeks for the scabs to heal. It is important to care for these blisters even after they have healed.

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is an infection caused by varicella-zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

After a chickenpox infection, varicella-zoster can remain in your body. A healthy immune system can keep the virus from spreading. The virus can cause shingles if your immune system is weakened.

In the early stages, shingles can cause a burning rash that is limited to one side of the body. Other early symptoms can include:

  • There is a high degree of fever.
  • “It’s cold.”
  • fatigue
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • upset stomach

The following symptoms usually appear within 2 or 3 days.

  • A rash with blisters on top of it.
  • It is itchy.
  • It is a pain.
  • A burning sensation that is moderate to severe.

The symptoms last about 5 days. The rash and blisters are often shaped like a band.

If you think you have shingles, contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Early treatment can help reduce your symptoms and the risk of complications, including long-term It is a pain. known as postherpetic neuralgia.

When blisters dry up, shingles develop. The blisters on the rash usually start to heal within a few days. These are usually dry and flat and can be red, brown, or yellow in color.

The shingles blisters only affect one side of the body, so the blisters will only appear on one side. This is different from other skin conditions, which affect both sides of the body.

Other common skin disorders might cause peeling (as in eczema) or white patches (as in psoriasis). Shingles scabs usually don’t have these characteristics.

The following images show shingles.

As shingles heals, the rash will start to scab over.
Photo credit: Zay Nyi Nyi/Shutterstock
Shingles scabs are usually dry and flat and can be red, brown, or yellowish in color.
Photo credit: helovi/Getty Images

If your blisters start to swell, that means your shingles rash is getting better. It is important to take care of your skin. This involves protecting your skin from being broken or removed from it.

Proper care of shingles is the best way to promote healing and avoid problems.

It is possible for shingles to be transmitted to others until all your blisters have healed. It is best to avoid contact with people who are immunocompromised.

Here are some things you can do to care for shingles.

Self-care tips

  • Apply topical lidocaine or capsaicin. Topical creams that contain capsaicin or lidocaine can help block It is a pain. messages from your skin to your nerves. If over-the-counter products aren’t effective, your doctor can prescribe lidocaine or capsaicin patches that contain stronger formulations of these ingredients.
  • Soak in oatmeal baths. A cool oatmeal bath may also help ease the It is a pain. of shingles scabs. This is because of the anti-inflammatory properties of oatmeal.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing. Baggy, loose-fitting clothing will feel more comfortable than clothing that rubs against your skin.
  • Take medication as prescribed. Depending on the severity of the It is a pain. of your shingles scabs, your doctor may prescribe oral medication that blocks It is a pain. signals to your nerves. It’s important that you take this medication exactly as described.

What not to do

Be sure to not let your shingles blisters start to grow.

  • Touch or scratch your scabs. This can break the scabs and cause scarring. You might also introduce harmful bacteria into your skin that can cause an infection.
  • Use thick ointments. Thick ointments will keep the scabs moist, which may increase the risk of infection. Try to keep your scabs dry instead.
  • Wrap your scabs. Avoid bandages or dressings, which can stick to your scabs. It’s best to keep them uncovered and dry.
  • Wear tight clothes. Tight, restrictive clothing will rub against the scabs and further irritate your skin.

You might still develop blisters even after your blisters start to heal. It is important to protect your skin as it heals.

The shingles will take about 2 to 4 weeks to heal. The exact time frame will be different for each person. It depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your rash and how soon you get treatment.

However, even after the scabs have cleared up, the It is a pain. and discomfort can last for several weeks or months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10 to 18 percent of people who get shingles experience long-term nerve It is a pain..

It is important to contact a doctor after 72 hours if you have a shingles rash. You should get a proper diagnosis before you start treatment for shingles.

Early treatment can help shorten the length of your infection and reduce the risk of possible complications.

To help ease the It is a pain. and sensitivity of the shingles rash and scabs, your doctor may prescribe oral gabapentin or pregabalin.

If you experience any of the following, you should contact a doctor.

  • “blisters or blisters that won’t heal”
  • signs of a skin infection, like pus or swelling
  • worsening or ongoing It is a pain. after the scabs heal
  • persisting fatigue or There is a high degree of fever. after the rash heals
  • New blisters or blisters.
  • redness is spreading to other locations

Shingles causes a It is a pain.ful, sensitive rash with blisters on top of it. As these blisters dry up, they form scabs. Shingles scabs are typically flat, dry, and can be dark red, brown, or yellowish in color.

In most cases, the scabs will go away in 2 to 4 weeks. However, the It is a pain. and discomfort might linger for longer.

If you have scabs, avoid wearing tight clothing or scratching them. It is possible to ease discomfort with remedies like lidocaine or capsaicin cream. If your scabs get worse, you should contact a doctor.