Herpes zoster can be found in many people who have had chicken pox. This condition is also called zoster or shingles. This condition is caused by the virus that is responsible for causing chicken pox. After the symptoms associated with chicken pox clear this virus remains in a latent condition in some nerve cells within the body.

When the virus is reactivated herpes zoster develops and this condition can be extremely painful. This condition is observed in 20 % individuals who have already suffered from chicken pox. It is believed that weakening of the body’s immunity may result in multiplication of the virus. This condition is quite common among individuals over the age of 50 and stress, illness and trauma may trigger this condition.

Herpes zoster is relatively less contagious as compared to chicken pox but a person suffering from this condition can transmit this virus through direct skin contact when blisters are present. Zoster results in a great deal of pain and the itching is less as compared to that experienced in chicken pox. A person suffering from this condition initially feels tingling, burning and itching along with extreme sensitivity of skin.

The rash in herpes zoster is usually limited to one side of a person’s body. The symptoms of tingling last for around three days after which the red rash is observed. The rash may also be accompanied with headache and fever. The rash then turns to a cluster of blisters and this lasts for around 2 to 3 weeks.

Initially the blisters in herpes zoster are yellow or bloody but with time they scab over and then disappear. The pain accompanying the blisters is often severe and may require painkillers. The areas of the zoster rash commonly include the buttocks and the trunk regions. If the blisters are seen on the nose then it could be a signal of possible eye involvement.

Diagnosis of herpes zoster is made after examining the skin appearance. The blister skin cells may also be scraped for microscopic examination. In some cases the fluid within the blisters may be tested at a laboratory. Treatment of this condition include taking oral anti viral medicines.

Likewise to reduce the pain associated with herpes zoster corticosteroids may also be prescribed. Corticosteroids particularly help in reducing inflammation. A complication with this condition includes post herpetic neuralgia which includes numbness, pain, tingling and itching that can last for years. Likewise the development of bacterial infection in the blisters can result in delayed healing.

If the herpes zoster infection is not treated in time then the lesions can result in scarring. Eye involvement in zoster can result scarring, glaucoma and even blindness. A vaccine has not be developed and approved to be given to person over the age of 60 and who have not have zoster. Studies indicate that the vaccine has reduced the possibility of shingles by 50%. However this vaccine has not been studies with those people who have had a history of this condition and this vaccine cannot be given to individuals with decreased immunity.