Shingles, or herpes zoster, typically develops on one side of the body. A shingles rash may develop on the back of the neck. Treatment typically includes antiviral medication.
A person may develop shingles if they have had chickenpox or the vaccine for it. It can cause a painful blistering rash, which can dry out and scab over time. Alongside medical treatments, home remedies can help a person manage shingles symptoms.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of shingles on the back of the neck. This article also discusses treatment options, how doctors diagnose the condition, and more.
Shingles can affect the back of the neck.
It typically develops on just one side of the body, so a person may develop a shingles rash on one side of the neck.
If a person has a weakened immune system, the condition
A rash is the main symptom of shingles. It usually only develops on one side of the body, and a person may develop it on one side at the back of their neck. In some cases, the rash may be painful.
The rash typically blisters and lasts for around 2–4 weeks. The blisters will then bleed and crack. Then, they will scab over as they heal.
Learn more about what a shingles rash looks like when it begins.
Before a person notices the rash, they may first experience pain or a burning or tingling sensation in the area where the rash will develop.
Other symptoms that shingles
A person may develop shingles if they have had chickenpox or the vaccine. It occurs due to the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.
The varicella-zoster virus lives dormant in a person’s body after they have chickenpox or the vaccine. The immune system can weaken due to a cause, which can then activate the virus. This can cause shingles to develop.
As the immune system naturally weakens with age, shingles can be more common later in life. It is likely to develop in people more than 50 years old.
A person may also develop shingles if other factors weaken the immune system, such as:
- HIV
- certain cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma
- chemotherapy
- medications that suppress the immune system
It can be a good idea for a person to contact their doctor for advice if they have concerns about shingles. A person’s doctor
If a person has shingles symptoms, their doctor may refer them to a dermatologist for a diagnosis. The dermatologist can diagnose shingles based on the physical appearance of the rash.
In some cases, the dermatologist may take a fluid sample from the blister. They can send the sample to the laboratory to check for the virus and confirm the diagnosis.
A combination of medical treatments and home remedies can help a person manage shingles.
Antiviral medication
The main medical treatment for shingles is antiviral medication. These include:
- famciclovir
- acyclovir
- valacyclovir
It is a good idea to receive the medication within 3 days of the rash appearing. This can help reduce the risk of complications such as postherpetic neuralgia, which is long lasting nerve pain.
Home remedies
Home remedies that can help a person manage shingles symptoms
- using calamine lotion to relieve pain and itchiness
- taking an oatmeal bath to soothe the skin
- wearing loose clothing to reduce skin irritation
- avoiding scratching the area to prevent pain from worsening
Learn more about home remedies for managing shingles.
The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. Around
Other complications that may occur include:
- vision or hearing difficulties
- bacterial infections
- encephalitis, brain inflammation
- pneumonia
Contacting a doctor and beginning treatment for shingles as early as possible can help to reduce the risk of complications.
Here are some frequently asked questions about shingles on the neck.
What are the early symptoms of shingles on the neck?
Before a person develops a shingles rash, they may experience:
- pain
- burning sensation
- tingling
This can affect the area where the rash will develop, including the back of the neck.
Why do I have shingles on my neck?
Shingles can develop anywhere on the body. However, it typically only develops on one side of the body. This means that if a person develops shingles on the neck, it will most likely only affect the neck on either the left or the right side of the body.
How do you relieve shingles on the neck?
Alongside antiviral medication, a doctor may recommend various home remedies to relieve shingles symptoms on the neck. These
A person can develop a shingles rash on the back of the neck. It usually develops on only one side of the body unless a person has a weakened immune system.
Shingles can develop if a person has had chickenpox or the vaccine. It can happen if the immune system weakens, activating the varicella-zoster virus.
The main symptom of shingles is a blistering rash. A doctor may recommend antiviral medication and home remedies to treat and manage the condition.
It is a good idea to contact a doctor when there are concerns about shingles. Beginning treatment within 3 days of the rash appearing can help lower the chance of complications.