Shingles Treatment at The Village Pharmacy
Shingles is a painful skin condition that develops when a virus already living in your body reactivates, often many years after you first had it. It affects a large number of adults each year, and while it is not usually dangerous, it can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, lead to longer term complications if it is not treated promptly. At The Village Pharmacy, we know that a burning, blistering rash can be worrying, particularly if you have never had shingles before and are not sure what is happening.
Through the NHS Pharmacy First service, our trained pharmacists can assess, diagnose and treat shingles directly on the high street, without the need for a GP appointment in most cases.
What is Shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a chickenpox infection clears, the virus does not fully leave the body. Instead, it lies dormant in the nerve tissue for years, sometimes decades, before reactivating in some people as shingles.
Shingles typically appears as a painful, blistering rash that develops on one side of the body, most often on the torso, though it can appear on the face, neck or limbs. The rash usually follows the path of a single nerve, which is why it tends to appear as a band or stripe rather than being spread evenly across the skin.
Who is more likely to get shingles?
Shingles becomes more common with age, particularly from the age of 50 onwards, as the immune system’s ability to keep the dormant virus suppressed naturally declines. It can also be triggered by periods of stress, illness, or anything that weakens the immune system, including certain medical treatments and long term health conditions.
Is shingles contagious?
Shingles itself cannot be passed from one person to another. However, the varicella zoster virus can be spread to someone who has never had chickenpox, causing them to develop chickenpox rather than shingles. This is most likely to happen through direct contact with the fluid inside the shingles blisters, so it is sensible to keep the rash covered where possible and avoid close contact with anyone who has not had chickenpox, especially pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
What Causes a Shingles Outbreak?
Anyone who has previously had chickenpox carries the varicella zoster virus in a dormant state, so the underlying cause is always the same virus reactivating. What varies is the trigger that allows this to happen. Common triggers include:
- Increasing age, particularly over 50
- A weakened immune system, whether from illness, medication or medical treatment
- Significant physical or emotional stress
- Other infections or periods of general ill health
- Poor sleep or extended periods of fatigue
In many cases, there is no single obvious trigger, and shingles simply develops without warning.
Symptoms of Shingles
Shingles often begins with symptoms that appear before any rash is visible, which can make it tricky to identify in the early stages. Common symptoms include:
- Burning, tingling or shooting pain in a specific area of skin, often on one side of the body
- A general feeling of being unwell, sometimes with a mild fever or headache
- A red rash appearing a few days after the initial pain, usually in a band or stripe pattern
- Fluid filled blisters that develop within the rash and may weep before crusting over
- Itching alongside the burning or stabbing pain
- Sensitivity to touch in the affected area, even before the rash appears
If the rash appears near or around the eye, or you notice any changes to your vision, please seek urgent medical advice, as shingles affecting this area can lead to serious complications if it is not treated quickly.
Treatment Through Pharmacy First
The Village Pharmacy offers the NHS Pharmacy First service, which allows our qualified pharmacists to assess and treat shingles in adults without the need for a GP referral in most cases. Because antiviral treatment for shingles works best when started early, being able to access same day care through our pharmacy can make a real difference to how quickly you recover and how likely you are to avoid ongoing complications.
During your consultation, our pharmacist will ask about your symptoms, examine the rash, and check whether you are suitable for treatment through the service. Where appropriate, this usually involves:
- A course of antiviral medication, ideally started within 72 hours of the rash first appearing
- Advice on pain relief options to help manage discomfort while the rash heals
- Guidance on keeping the rash clean and covered to reduce the risk of passing the virus on to others
- Clear advice on what to expect as the rash progresses and how long recovery typically takes
If your symptoms suggest a more complex case, such as shingles affecting the eye or a weakened immune system that needs closer monitoring, we will refer you promptly to your GP or another appropriate service.
Swift Care in Bedford
Shingles usually clears up within two to four weeks, and most people recover fully without any lasting problems. Getting the right treatment early is the best way to reduce both the length of the outbreak and the risk of a complication called postherpetic neuralgia, where nerve pain continues in the affected area after the rash has healed. Rest, staying hydrated and keeping the rash clean can all support a smoother recovery alongside any prescribed treatment.
If you think you may have shingles, or you are experiencing unexplained burning or tingling pain on one side of your body, get in touch with us today or book an appointment online and we will guide you through the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get shingles more than once?
Yes. Although it is more common to have shingles only once, it is possible to have further episodes, particularly if your immune system becomes weakened again later in life. If you have had shingles before and notice similar symptoms returning, it is worth getting the rash checked promptly rather than assuming it cannot happen again.
Is there a vaccine that can help prevent shingles?
Yes, a shingles vaccine is available on the NHS for eligible age groups and can significantly reduce the risk of developing shingles, as well as reducing the severity of symptoms if it does occur. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, our pharmacy team can point you in the right direction.
Why does the pain sometimes start before the rash appears?
The virus reactivates within the nerve itself before it travels to the surface of the skin, which is why many people experience burning, tingling or shooting pain in the days before any visible rash develops. This early pain can sometimes be mistaken for other conditions, which is why a proper assessment is helpful once a rash does appear.
How long is someone with shingles contagious for?
Someone with shingles can pass the varicella zoster virus on to others until the blisters have fully crusted over. Once the rash has dried out and formed scabs, the risk of passing on the virus is much lower. Keeping the rash covered during the blistering stage helps reduce this risk further.
Can shingles come back in the same place on the body?
If a further episode of shingles does occur, it does not always affect the same area of skin, as it depends on which nerve the virus reactivates in. Some people do experience shingles in a similar location to a previous outbreak, but this is not guaranteed and each episode should be assessed on its own.
What is postherpetic neuralgia and how common is it?
Postherpetic neuralgia refers to nerve pain that continues in the area of the rash after the shingles rash itself has healed. It becomes more common with increasing age and can last for months in some cases. Starting antiviral treatment early is one of the most effective ways to reduce the likelihood of this complication developing.
Where can I get shingles treatment near me?
You can visit us in person for a same day Pharmacy First consultation. Our pharmacy is located at:
The Meiklejohn Centre, 3- 7 Kingswood Way, Biddenham, Bedford MK40 4GH
You can also call us on 01234351455 or book online ahead of your visit.