The Truth About Shingles: Why You Get It And How To Heal It Fast

Shingles explained by Dermatologist Dr. Dray. What causes shingles? How to treat and prevent shingles from coming back. Dermatologist tips to heal shingles fast. In this video I explain what shingles looks like, and show pictures of shingles. Watch to find out how long does shingles last?

FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.

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Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

[mapratt]

Shingles saved my life. High stress, mom was dying, family in my tiny house, trying to run a farm and keep my day job going. I got shingles, localized for a week, then the shingles pain appeared under both arms - no longer localized, not on one side. Went to urgent care. Nurse practitioner confirmed shingles then did a quick health check. His good ears heard an anomaly in my breathing, sent me for an x-ray, found stage 3 lung cancer... I never smoked. That was 8 years ago.

[zates]

THANK YOU! It is nice to hear from a professional. I am a heart transplant patient and in week two of shingles. It is miserable. Praying it goes away soon. I want to help build my parent's home. 46 yrs old

[zo_]

Just got diagnosed yesterday. I’m 39 and don’t feel all that unwell but the rash is characteristic of shingles and very sore. I’m glad to have this informative video

[tinawhite]

I've had shingles dozens of times since my early 20's. I can feel it tingling up and down my back weeks before it breaks out, and I find that making a concerted effort to lie down every afternoon for at least 20 minutes, whether I sleep or not, is enough to calm it down and keep it from blistering. I've gone two years without an outbreak, and that's the longest I've ever gone shingles free in my life.

[ahc]

I got shingles when I was 6 years old. 60 years later, I still remember it was like a belt almost around my waist.

[cautiouscoyote]

I met my friend when she was battling stage 3 breast cancer. She survived complications and setbacks. Then she got a debilitating case of Lyme disease that took months to diagnose and years to find effective treatment. It left her with permanent chronic neurological issues. At the time she said her Lyme disease ordeal was way worse than going through chemotherapy. THEN she got shingles on her face, from her temple to neck that took months for the pain to subside. She said THAT was more painful and way harder to endure than her cancer & Lyme experiences combined. I am radically vigilent avoiding ticks and was SO relieved to get the shingles vaccines as soon as allowed.

[kimaparks]

I had a mild case of shingles at 45 over my eye. My ophthalmologist explained the danger of it involving the tip of the nose. Thank you for this info!

[asp]

I got shingles right below my lower lip at age 35 last year after completing my CPA exams (aka stressful times). My DR thought I had a cold sore or some kind of bacterial staph infection. I made a convincing argument to my DR that I didn’t think I had a cold sore and so she offered to take a swab and send it in to a lab. I’m so glad I spoke up because it turns out it was shingles. I was prescribed antivirals. DR suggested I cover the shingles spot with cold sore patches. NOT RECOMMENDED! What worked for me was calamine lotion. The cold sore patches kept the blisters moist when the blisters actually needed to dry out. I believe my shingles healed completely in about 2-3 weeks. The scar is barely noticeable now and I have no lingering pain. I got very lucky!

[thatswhatshesaid]

34 and had shingles when I was 8. It did wrap around my midline. I have scars from it. And have post herpetic neuralgia on my back and ribs where it wrapped around. It was one of the most painful times of my life. Right before the bumps broke out and during, it felt like my lungs were being crushed with every breath I took. I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy. To this day I get random pains that felt like when I had shingles, and I worry it's an invisible breakout. It doesn't last long, but it's very similar. Thank you for sharing all this 💚💚

[botansaluki]

I had shingles last year right where I have a pinched nerve in my back. I would not wish that pain on my worst enemy. I still have scars.

[BrandiF]

I had shingles at 22. It took a month to get any doctor to listen. They all said I was “too young” for shingles and it was just a rash. Thankful a lovely ER nurse advocated for me and got them to do more than just look.

[WiseFamin]

So glad you made this video! I feel like most people have heard of shingles but don't really know what it looks like or how to deal with it when you get it. And it is pretty miserable, no matter how old or healthy you are when you develop it! I feel like it develops when you're already battling one or more illnesses, and maybe that's why it's more common in older people. But it's not unheard of in younger people! My brother got shingles on his left ear and face when he was in his late 30s and otherwise physically completely healthy. Luckily, it didn't affect his vision and he recovered after a few weeks, but he was VERY miserable while he had it. The pain is no joke! I also know an older person who has bouts of post-herpetic neuralgia, and I honestly wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. So I got Shingrix as soon as I was eligible. If a vaccination can reduce my chances of getting shingles or even just a really bad case of shingles by even a tiny amount, why wouldn't I take it? I had chicken pox as an infant (I think it was harder on my poor mom than me since I have no recollection of it!) and my brother didn't get it until he was a teenager, and he was quarantined for weeks! It's much harder to handle the older you are when you get it. CDC has also mentioned that developing shingles is much less common in people who have had the chicken pox vaccination, so if you haven't had chicken pox, you might want to get the chicken pox vaccination! One of the worst things about shingles (in my opinion) is that it comes when you're already battling an illness (or are immunocompromised)--like you need one more thing to worry about?! It sucks.

[carrieo]

My husband and I both got shingles in our early 40’s after a very stressful event. Glad we both caught it early and hope to never get it again!

[irisk]

I have had chicken pox. My younger brother actually got shingles when he was 40. It was unusual in that as you said, it typically appears in older people. But I think he was severely stressed at the time so it popped right back up in him. Thankfully no lasting complications. Thank you for such an informative video, I hope people really pay attention to this.

[loridickinson]

I currently have shingles. I’m 66 and it’s very painful. My doctor put me on Acyclovir and Gabapentin and also percoset for the pain. I’ve never felt such pain that seems to pierce through me. Thank you for your video. My doctor told me I wasn’t contagious 🤔

[paigelatham]

My grandfather developed post herpetic neuralgia post-shingles and it absolutely ruined the last 20 years of his life. He was bed ridden and pain medication and all treatments did not alleviate his pain. It was awful to see him deteriorate from such pain. It’s not something any one ever talks about, but I can attest to its severity.

[nicoleyap]

I was going back and forth about getting the vaccine but after watching this I am going to make an appointment for the vaccine.

[wendyw]

Very informative, didn’t know about the importance of seeing a doc if you have it on your nose. Thank you.

[kvcooks]

Had shingles at age 52, from the crown of my head down to my left eye. I was misdiagnosed until it was too late to take antivirals, but a great doc saved my vision. I still have a lovely scar on my forehead and a hole in my lashes 12 years later. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated because I wouldn't wish that pain on anyone!

[margieryne]

Yes, I had chicken pox many years ago! My momma had shingles & suffered for about a year, it was terrible for her! Thank you for this video!🥰