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Shingles

Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and it can be very painful. The shingles vaccine can help reduce the risk of shingles and its long-term complications.

Ask a Primary Care Doctor: “How Do I Know if My Painful Rash Is Shingles?”
Ask a Primary Care Doctor: “How Do I Know if My Painful Rash Is Shingles?”0:50
3 Signs Your Rash Is Actually Shingles
3 Signs Your Rash Is Actually Shingles1:15
Ask a Primary Care Doctor: “I’m Having Pain After Shingles — Is It Related?”
Ask a Primary Care Doctor: “I’m Having Pain After Shingles — Is It Related?”1:12
Is Shingles Serious? Why This Infection Is More Than a Rash
Is Shingles Serious? Why This Infection Is More Than a Rash2:03

Ask a Primary Care Doctor: “I’m Having Pain After Shingles — Is It Related?”

Long-term pain is a common complication after shingles.

Sanjai Sinha, MD profile image

Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD

Updated on June 3, 2025

The most common shingles complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). PHN causes lingering pain for weeks, months, or even years after the shingles rash has cleared.

In this video, learn what to do if you think you are having long-lasting pain from shingles and how to cope, according to Peter DeMarco, MD, Primary Care Doctor at Columbia Doctors Midtown in New York City.

3 signs your rash is actually shingles

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Shingles (herpes zoster): Signs and symptoms.

Gruver, C., et al. (2023). Postherpetic neuralgia. StatPearls.

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