After being infected with chickenpox, the virus is found in the body in a lethargic state in the nerve tracts that emerge from the column, when the virus reactivates, it spreads along this tract, causing pain or burning sensation. The characteristic rash of herpes zoster appears two or three days after the virus reaches the skin, it is in the form of red patches with small blisters (vesicles) on the skin, which bears some resemblance to chickenpox in form initial. The eruption grows in the next five days and then the blisters rupture, leading to small sores, which then begin to dry and form scabs that will release in two or three weeks, leaving pink skin healing process.
These lesions usually appear along a single dermatome and are placed on one side of the body (unilateral), the trunk is the most affected area where you can see a rectangular belt of rash. The lesions may also manifest in the body or face, herpes zoster affects the trigeminal nerve and therefore can cause injuries to the mouth or eyes and in the latter case causing permanent blindness (if untreated). If the facial nerve is severely affected may cause Ramsay Hunt syndrome with facial paralysis, hearing loss, loss of taste on half of the tongue and lesions around the ear and ear canal, this disease may involve the genitals or upper leg. Shingles can be spread by direct contact to a person who has not had chickenpox and has no immunity, the herpes can strike at any age but usually occurs in adults over 70 years.
