View the Shingles Rash Photo Gallery.
These images will help give you a better idea of what Shingles looks like. You’ll find a range of photos that show many cases of Shingles, from mild to severe. You’ll also see the most common places the Shingles rash appears.
Shingles Rash Photo Gallery
The slideshow will play automatically. You can also click "next" or "previous" to change the image, or jump to any image by clicking the thumbnails below.
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In a mild case, the Shingles rash may be a few scattered blisters; here they are on the neck.
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While Shingles most commonly occurs on the torso, it can appear anywhere on the body. In this case, the Shingles rash is on the leg.
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The rash has a tendency to form in a band or strip on one side of the body, which is what’s happening in this mild case of the Shingles rash.
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This picture shows a Shingles rash of average intensity around the waistline.
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Over half of Shingles rash outbreaks occur on the torso and usually on only one side of the body. This is a typical example.
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This is an example of the Shingles rash, where it can stretch from the middle of the back to the middle of the stomach, but only on one side of the body.
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This is an example of the Shingles rash with some scabbing, which may have been caused by scratching the blisters.
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This is what an average case of Shingles can look like on the back.
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While the Shingles rash most commonly occurs on the torso, it can also appear on the arms (above), legs, and face.
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Here is another example of a typical Shingles rash on the arm.
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The appearance of a Shingles rash can differ depending on a person’s skin. This rash is more severe than the typical case. In some severe cases, like this one, the Shingles rash may resemble a burn.
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In severe cases, Shingles blisters can occur around the eye and sometimes in it. This can lead to eye infections and even some vision loss.
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In this close-up of the Shingles rash, you can see that the rash develops into blisters, similar to those of chickenpox.
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The Shingles rash usually starts as redness or discoloring of the skin and then develops into fluid-filled blisters which generally take 2-4 weeks to heal.
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At this stage of the Shingles rash, the blisters have popped and have started to scab over.
About ZOSTAVAX
ZOSTAVAX is a vaccine used for adults 50 years of age or older to prevent Shingles (also known as zoster).
Important Safety Information
- ZOSTAVAX does not protect everyone, so some people who get the vaccine may still get Shingles.
- You should not get ZOSTAVAX if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, including gelatin or neomycin, have a weakened immune system, take high doses of steroids, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not get ZOSTAVAX to prevent chickenpox.
- Talk to your health care professional if you plan to get ZOSTAVAX (Zoster Vaccine Live) at the same time as PNEUMOVAX®23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) because it may be better to get these vaccines at least 4 weeks apart.
- Possible side effects include redness, pain, itching, swelling, hard lump, warmth, or bruising at the injection site, as well as headache.
- ZOSTAVAX (Zoster Vaccine Live) contains a weakened chickenpox virus. Tell your health care professional if you will be in close contact with newborn infants, someone who may be pregnant and has not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against chickenpox, or someone who has problems with their immune system. Your health care professional can tell you what situations you may need to avoid.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Patient Information and discuss it with your health care professional. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.
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