Dr. Henry Domke is a Family Physician who has practiced in central Missouri for over two decades. He has always had a strong interest in disease prevention, health maintenance, and patient education. 
In addition to his practice of medicine, Dr. Domke takes Shingles (also called Herpes Zoster) is a painful blistering rash that is caused by the Chicken Pox virus. Before there were Chicken Pox vaccines, almost all young children would get Chicken Pox. After the rash has healed, the virus becomes dormant inside one of the nerve trunks coming out of the spine. Decades later it can "wake up" from this hibernation, multiply and drift up to the skin.
Shingles can be very painful with the pain appearing for a couple days before you see the telltale blisters. The rash can be anywhere on the body, but it should always be on just the left or right side. It should not cross over. Back, chest and face are the most common locations, but it can occur anywhere.
Typically the blisters heal up over 7-10 days but pain and redness can linger for much longer. Occasionally for months or years. If the pain lingers after the rash heals this may be “"Postherpetic neuralgia", which means lingering pain. It may require chronic medication.
Shingles involving the eyes that can be an emergency and will require a visit to an eye doctor.
If the rash is identified within the first 48-hours from the onset of symptoms, antiviral pills (such as acyclovir) may be given. There's also a new a new vaccine available called Zostavax. It costs about US $180.
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