It started with a burning pain, like a flame on my side. I knew something wasn’t right and went to the doctor the next day. They told me I had shingles, a virus that had reactivated and caused an outbreak in my skin. It was very itchy and the pain was unbearable. I was put on medication right away and the rash and pain gradually started to go away.
My doctor explained to me that shingles is caused by the same virus that gave me chickenpox as a child, but can come back years later as an adult. I was also told that it’s an inflammation of the nerve endings in the skin caused by the virus. This is why it felt like a burning sensation on my skin.
I was instructed to keep the area clean and dry. I would also use a cold compress to reduce the itching and swelling. I was also given a topical cream for the pain and to help speed up the healing process. After a few weeks the rash and pain disappeared, but I’m now left with a constant tingle that reminds me of my shingles experience.