Can I spread shingles on myself?

Can I spread shingles on myself?

Shingles — also known as herpes zoster — is a condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles itself is not contagious. It can’t spread from one person to another.

Can you spread shingles to other parts of your body by scratching?

Shingles will not spread from one area of the body through contact, unlike some other rashes. Some people develop more lesions after the initial outbreak. These blisters might be near the location of the first rash, or somewhere else. The rash begins as sore blisters that may then crack, bleed, and scab over.

What causes shingles to spread on the body?

Shingles is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in their body. The virus can reactivate later, causing shingles. Most people who develop shingles have only one episode during their lifetime.

Will my shingles spread?

The virus travels in specific nerves, so you will often see shingles occur in a band on one side of the body. This band corresponds to the area where the nerve transmits signals. The shingles rash stays somewhat localized to an area; it does not spread over your whole body.

Should I cover shingles with gauze?

Relieve Physical Symptoms They should cover the rash with nonstick sterile bandages. Alternatively, the patient can wear loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing to allow the skin to breathe.

Do shingles need to be covered?

The risk of spreading the virus that causes shingles is low if the rash is covered. People with shingles should keep the rash covered, not touch or scratch the rash, and wash their hands often to prevent the spread of shingles. Once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious.

Can shingles affect both sides of the body?

Very rarely, shingles can cause more widespread infection, or can affect both sides of the body, but this is usually only in people with a weakened immune system. The most commonly involved nerves are those supplying the skin on the chest or tummy (abdomen). The upper face (including an eye) is also a common site.

What areas of the body can you get shingles?

The shingles rash generally affects only one side of the body, and typically forms a band across the skin. Shingles most commonly affects the torso or chest. But it can develop just about anywhere, like on your arms, head or face. Sometimes it can also affect your eyes or ears.

Can shingles be spread through bedding?

Shingles can be spread when a person comes into contact with fluid contained in the blisters. The virus can be spread by direct contact with the lesions or by touching any dressings, sheets or clothes soiled with discharge from the spots.

Should you cover shingles rash?

Tell patients not to open the blisters, which can cause permanent scarring. They should cover the rash with nonstick sterile bandages. Alternatively, the patient can wear loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing to allow the skin to breathe.

How are shingles spread from one person to another?

Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. The virus that causes shingles, varicella zoster virus (VZV) can spread from a person with active shingles and cause chickenpox in someone who had never had chickenpox or received chickenpox vaccine. VZV spreads through direct contact with fluid from the rash blisters.

Where do you get shingles on your body?

Shingles. Most commonly, the shingles rash develops as a stripe of blisters that wraps around either the left or right side of your torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face.

What happens when you get shingles on your face?

Shingles on the face can affect the eye and cause vision loss. In rare cases (usually in people with weakened immune systems), the rash may be more widespread on the body and look similar to a chickenpox rash.

How do you know if you have shingles?

Before the rash appears, people often have pain, itching, or tingling in the area where it will develop. This may happen several days before the rash appears. Most commonly, the rash occurs in a single stripe around either the left or the right side of the body. In other cases, the rash occurs on one side of the face.