When You Visit Your Doctor - Shingles
Shingles
Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:
- Do you have a history of chicken pox?
- Does your skin hurt, itch, or feel numb?
- Is the pain sharp, dull, or piercing? How long have you had it?
- Do you have a rash? If so, for how long?
- Is the rash in more than one place on your skin?
- Is the rash on one side of your body only?
- Has the rash at any time looked like small blisters?
- Do you still have pain even if the rash is gone?
- What triggers the pain (for example, a light touch)?
- Do your symptoms interfere with your ability to sleep or perform activities of daily living?
- Are you taking any medications?
Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:
- Skin exam almost always confirms the diagnosis
Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:
- Skin scraping to examine under the microscope, or for viral culture, immunofluorescence, or polymerase chain reaction testing (rarely needed)
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