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Shingles

Frequently Asked Questions

9. Why is shingles so painful?

The pain and rash commonly begin in one of the areas shown here. - Click to enlarge in new window.
Click to enlarge image

When the shingles virus reactivates, it travels through nerve fibers, from the spine out to the skin. Inflammation along the nerve path causes the rash. And because the inflammation is in a nerve, it causes pain.