Shingles symptoms typically last about 3 to 5 weeks. The progression usually follows this timeline:
- Early symptoms such as tingling, burning, or itching may appear 1 to 5 days before the rash.
- A red rash then develops, often on one side of the body.
- Within a few days, fluid-filled blisters form, which may ooze for 1 to 2 weeks.
- The blisters then dry up and crust over, forming scabs that can last 1 to 3 weeks.
- The rash usually clears up within 2 to 4 weeks in total
Pain and itching often accompany the rash and can last throughout the course of the infection. In some cases, pain may persist for months or longer due to a complication called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
. Prompt antiviral treatment can shorten the duration of symptoms and reduce complications
. In summary, shingles usually lasts 3 to 5 weeks from the first symptoms to rash healing, but pain may last longer in some individuals.
