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Does Shingles Affect The Same Area During A Recurrent Attack?
Question: If you have had shingles before and at risk of having it again willit hit the same area or will it be elsewhere on the body
Brief Answer:
Shingles usually affects the same area during recurrent attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Shingles happens due to the reactivation of the herpes zoster virus which also causes chicken pox. The virus lies dormant in the nerves and when there is reduced immunity then it gets reactivated and causes shingles over the particular nerve distribution which is seen as rashes.
2. The recurrence of shingles is low and it usually affects the same areas and the virus is hidden in the nerve root ganglia and gets reactivated.
3. Shingles might take a long time to recover. Some patients experience symptoms for a longer time which might be in months to years. It is possible that your symptoms are persisting due to this. Some people also have tingling and pain in the nerve distribution area. This is called post herpetic neuralgia and is a long term complication.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Shingles usually affects the same area during recurrent attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Shingles happens due to the reactivation of the herpes zoster virus which also causes chicken pox. The virus lies dormant in the nerves and when there is reduced immunity then it gets reactivated and causes shingles over the particular nerve distribution which is seen as rashes.
2. The recurrence of shingles is low and it usually affects the same areas and the virus is hidden in the nerve root ganglia and gets reactivated.
3. Shingles might take a long time to recover. Some patients experience symptoms for a longer time which might be in months to years. It is possible that your symptoms are persisting due to this. Some people also have tingling and pain in the nerve distribution area. This is called post herpetic neuralgia and is a long term complication.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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