Hello. Thank you for writing to us. Shingles or herpes Zoster classically presents with unilateral eruption of grouped, discrete, fluid filled lesions, that characteristically are arranged in a stripe like pattern encircling one half of body. The eruption is due to reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus/ VZV, the same virus that causes chicken pox in children. The virus stays dormant in sensory ganglion for years and can multiply to give rise to an eruption of zoster/ shingles in later years. The eruption is usually painful. The intensity of pain may vary from mild and tolerable to excruciating and incapacitating. Diagnosis is usually clinically obvious and treatment should be started within the first 72 hours as it not only helps in faster resolution as well as helps decrease chances of developing post herpetic neuralgia/ pain. I suggest that if your rash seems to match the description of shingles you must seek an appointment as early as possible. Treatment of a confirmed shingles is with oral antivirals like either acyclovir Or valacyclovir for a week. Pain needs to be managed with NSAIDs alone or in combination with tricyclic antidepressants like amytriptyline. Regards