Shingles can sometimes affect the leg. Shingles causes a painful, blistering rash to appear on one side of the body. It often affects the face and torso but can appear on one leg or the other.
The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes shingles. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Anyone who has ever had chickenpox has a chance of developing shingles later in life.
Shingles will affect about
Anyone who has not had chickenpox or a varicella vaccination can contract VZV. They will develop chickenpox as a result of the initial infection and may later develop shingles.
A person who has shingles blisters on their skin can transmit VZV to others, so they will need to avoid direct contact with people who may contract it. Covering the blisters may help prevent the virus from passing from person to person.
This article reviews shingles appearing on the leg, how to identify it, other causes of a rash, and more.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), a shingles rash can appear anywhere on the body, including the legs.
However, in
The National Institute on Aging notes that shingles
The rash typically appears as a stripe across one side of the body, on only a
In
Though it may not always be easy to tell whether a rash is shingles, there are a few symptoms to be aware of.
According to the AAD, before the rash appears, a person will likely experience itching, tingling, or pain on the affected area of skin. This can happen several days before the rash develops.
The rash is typically painful and consists of blisters. Some people may develop the blisters before the rash appears.
The
A person may develop additional symptoms such as:
Several other conditions may cause a rash that looks similar to shingles on the leg. In some cases, it may be difficult for a person to determine what is causing the rash.
Possible causes of a rash on the legs include:
- Irritant or contact dermatitis: This is a type of eczema that develops as a result of contact with a substance that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction.
- Jock itch: This is a fungal infection that may appear as a raised, half moon-shaped rash on the inner leg, near the groin.
- Heat rash: This occurs when sweat gets trapped against the skin, causing small, discolored bumps to appear.
A person should contact a doctor if they suspect they may have developed a shingles rash on their leg.
They should also contact a doctor if the rash worsens or if they develop additional symptoms that could indicate shingles, such as an unexplained fever.
Treatment of shingles is
Treatments for shingles typically involve the use of antiviral medications such as:
- famciclovir
- acyclovir
- valacyclovir
These medications can help shorten the duration of the infection.
To manage symptoms, a doctor may prescribe or recommend pain medications. To help with itch, a person may find the following remedies helpful:
- wet compresses
- calamine lotion
- colloidal oatmeal baths
To
Vaccinating children against chickenpox can help prevent them from getting shingles in the future.
In adults who have had chickenpox, a single vaccine called Shingrix can help prevent the development of shingles. Experts generally recommend the vaccination for people
A shingles rash can develop anywhere on the body, including the leg. However, it typically develops on one side of the torso, usually at the waistline. It can also develop on the face.
The rash typically lasts a