This service is available to adults aged 18 years and over.
The NHS Pharmacy First scheme is here to help you understand and get treatment for shingles.
Shingles is when a nerve and the skin around it becomes infected, causing a painful rash. Also known as herpes zoster, it’s caused by the same virus as chickenpox.
Signs and symptoms of shingles
The primary symptom of shingles is pain in the infected area, followed by a rash which will develop over a few days.Pain from shingles can vary case by case. You may experience constant pain or a burning sensation, ranging from mild to severe. It’s normal for the infected area of skin to feel tender.
When you have shingles, the rash will only appear on one side of your body. If you have a rash on both sides of your body, it’s unlikely to be shingles.