
Does Shingles Cause Headache?

Brief Answer:
no, unless there's also a rash
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
shingles may present with pain even before the rash appears but the rash has to appear after a few days. So no rash, no shingles...
If you do have little blisters with clear fluid, that becomes cloudy and then the blisters rupture and leave a red area that heals over a couple of weeks then it can be shingles. Remember that shingles is almost always confined in a single neurotome (that is at the area of distribution of a specific nerve) and unilateral. The lesions do not cross the mid-line. Your doctor should be able to recognize these lesions with ease.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
no, unless there's also a rash
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
shingles may present with pain even before the rash appears but the rash has to appear after a few days. So no rash, no shingles...
If you do have little blisters with clear fluid, that becomes cloudy and then the blisters rupture and leave a red area that heals over a couple of weeks then it can be shingles. Remember that shingles is almost always confined in a single neurotome (that is at the area of distribution of a specific nerve) and unilateral. The lesions do not cross the mid-line. Your doctor should be able to recognize these lesions with ease.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


I do have a couple rash like areas and my head seems sensitive to touch just asking .
Brief Answer:
shingles is possible with a rash
Detailed Answer:
As I've said in my previous answer, shingles is possible when there's rash covering areas of single nerve distribution. The skin is usually sensitive to touch in such cases, like if you were sunburn. Since the forehead is involved you'd better visit a doctor for accurate diagnosis. Sometimes the eye is involved too. In such cases permanent damage to the eye is possible and treatment should be started as soon as possible.
Kind Regards!
shingles is possible with a rash
Detailed Answer:
As I've said in my previous answer, shingles is possible when there's rash covering areas of single nerve distribution. The skin is usually sensitive to touch in such cases, like if you were sunburn. Since the forehead is involved you'd better visit a doctor for accurate diagnosis. Sometimes the eye is involved too. In such cases permanent damage to the eye is possible and treatment should be started as soon as possible.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


Thank you
Brief Answer:
You're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome; glad to help!
You're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome; glad to help!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar


I went to Dr today and was diagnosed with Shingles. I was given a prescription of Valacyclovir. HCL 1 grm 3x daily . I also went to eye physician and my eyes are fine at present . Follow up next week. Right now I am in pain and wondering what I can do to help my headache. Would it hurt to put an ice pack on my forehead?
Brief Answer:
analgesics would be better...
Detailed Answer:
You'd better take analgesics. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) alone or combined with opioids should be fine for most cases. If the pain is unbearable then you can add either a NSAID (like ibuprofen) or a drug for neuropathic pain (like gabapentin or pregabalin). I don't believe that ice will help in any way.
Sometimes the pain may persist for long (even months). NSAIDs can't be used for too long because they may lead to kidney dysfunction, blood pressure elevation, liver toxicity, etc.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
analgesics would be better...
Detailed Answer:
You'd better take analgesics. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) alone or combined with opioids should be fine for most cases. If the pain is unbearable then you can add either a NSAID (like ibuprofen) or a drug for neuropathic pain (like gabapentin or pregabalin). I don't believe that ice will help in any way.
Sometimes the pain may persist for long (even months). NSAIDs can't be used for too long because they may lead to kidney dysfunction, blood pressure elevation, liver toxicity, etc.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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