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Important Health Facts About Shingles

By: Jeff Hayward on Monday, February 5th

You’ve heard people talk about shingles, and how painful it can be. But what is it? It’s caused by the same virus as chickenpox – so if you’ve gone through that already, you’re probably at risk of developing shingles.

The painful, blistering rash can be somewhat mild for some but excruciating for others, which is why it should be taken seriously. Let’s look at 13 facts about shingles, including how to prevent it…

1. What is Shingles?

Shingles is a “distinctive, painful rash” in adults that can strike those who have the virus from chicken pox laying dormant in their system, says WebMD. While the virus can be silent for years, in others it “wakes up and travels along nerve fibers to the skin,” it adds.

The most common location for shingles to develop is around the side of the waist, but it can also be highly visible and almost impossible to hide – on 1-side of the forehead or around 1-eye, adds the source.

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