What is shingles?

The rashes of shingles start as reddish flat rashes (papules) that usually progress into small, water-filled rashes (vesicles). As opposed to chickenpox where the rashes can be seen in the whole body, the rashes of shingles are only seen in specific parts of the body, and are usually in seen in a clumped and linear fashion. They are usually seen in near the hips, neck, or eyes and are painful. They are usually itchy by the time the water-filled rashes burst and crusting begins. Shingles are, in a way, contagious, but it is NOT possible to "catch" shingles from someone who has the rash. But if you have never had chickenpox or has never gotten the chickenpox vaccine, it is possible to "catch" the virus and then get sick with chickenpox since shingles and chickenpox are caused by the same virus.