Shingles Treatment
Shingles Treatment
If you think you may have shingles, getting advice and treatment quickly is important. Our pharmacist can assess adults aged 18 and over through the NHS Pharmacy First service without you needing to see your GP first.
Shingles usually causes a painful rash on one side of the body. Treatment may help speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of longer-lasting problems, particularly when started soon after the rash appears.
What is shingles?
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. It is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body and can reactivate later in life as shingles.
Shingles can occur at any age, but the risk increases as you get older or if your immune system becomes weakened.
You can find more information about the condition on the NHS shingles information page.
What are the symptoms of shingles?
The first symptoms of shingles can develop before the rash appears. You may experience:
- A tingling, burning or painful feeling in an area of skin
- A headache
- Feeling generally unwell
- Increased sensitivity or tenderness in an area of skin
A rash will usually appear a few days later. The shingles rash typically develops as blotches on one side of the body before becoming clusters of itchy or painful blisters.
The rash commonly appears on the chest or abdomen, but it can develop elsewhere on the body, including the face. In rare cases, shingles can cause pain without a visible rash.
NHS Pharmacy First Shingles Service
Through NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacist can assess adults aged 18 years and over who have symptoms of shingles.
During your consultation, the pharmacist will ask about your symptoms, when they started, your medical history and any medicines you are currently taking.
They will assess your symptoms and determine whether they are consistent with shingles. Where clinically appropriate, the pharmacist may be able to supply antiviral medication directly through the NHS Pharmacy First service.
If your symptoms require further investigation or treatment, the pharmacist will explain what you should do next and may refer you to another healthcare professional.
You can find out more about the service on the NHS England Pharmacy First page.
Who can use this service?
The NHS Pharmacy First shingles pathway is available to adults who:
- Are aged 18 years or over
- Have symptoms that may be caused by shingles
- Meet the NHS Pharmacy First clinical pathway criteria
People aged 17 or younger with suspected shingles should seek urgent advice from their GP or NHS 111 rather than using the Pharmacy First shingles pathway.
Some patients may also need to be referred to another healthcare professional depending on their symptoms, medical history and individual circumstances.
Get help in 4 easy steps
1. Contact our pharmacy
Book an appointment as soon as possible if you are aged 18 or over and think you may have shingles.
2. Speak to our pharmacist
Our pharmacist will ask about your symptoms, when the rash first appeared, your medical history and any medicines you are taking.
3. Clinical assessment
The pharmacist will assess your symptoms and rash and check for any signs that you may need further medical attention.
4. Advice and treatment
We will explain the most appropriate next steps. Where clinically appropriate under the NHS Pharmacy First pathway, antiviral treatment may be supplied directly from the pharmacy.
Why is it important to get treatment quickly?
If you think you have shingles, you should speak to a pharmacist as soon as possible. The NHS recommends trying to see a pharmacist within 3 days of the rash appearing.
If antiviral medicine is suitable for you, starting treatment early can help speed up your recovery and reduce the risk of longer-lasting problems.
Do not delay seeking advice if your rash has been present for longer than 3 days. Depending on your symptoms and circumstances, treatment may still be appropriate.
How is shingles treated?
Treatment depends on your symptoms and your risk of developing complications. Mild cases of shingles may not always require antiviral medication.
Where appropriate, antiviral tablets can be used to help speed up recovery. Under NHS Pharmacy First, our pharmacist can assess whether antiviral treatment is suitable for you and may be able to supply it directly.
You may also need treatment to help manage the pain caused by shingles. Our pharmacist can advise you about suitable options based on your individual circumstances.
How can I manage shingles at home?
Alongside any treatment recommended by your pharmacist, there are things you can do to help manage the symptoms of shingles:
- Keep the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating the affected skin
- Use a cool compress on the affected area
- Take suitable pain relief, such as paracetamol, if appropriate for you
- Avoid scratching or picking at the rash
Avoid using dressings or plasters that can stick directly to the rash.
For more self-care advice, visit the NHS guide to shingles.
Can I pass shingles to someone else?
You cannot directly give another person shingles. However, the virus that causes shingles can cause chickenpox in someone who has not previously had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
While your rash is producing fluid, try to avoid contact with:
- Pregnant people who have not previously had chickenpox
- People with a weakened immune system
- Babies under 1 month old
If the rash is still weeping and cannot be covered, you should stay away from work or school until the rash has dried out. Where possible, cover the rash with loose clothing or a non-stick dressing.
When should I seek urgent medical advice?
Some cases of shingles require assessment by a GP or NHS 111 rather than treatment through Pharmacy First.
Seek urgent medical advice if you have symptoms of shingles and:
- You are pregnant
- You are breastfeeding and the shingles rash is on your breast
- The rash is on your eye or nose
- You experience changes to your vision
- You have a severely weakened immune system
- You are aged 17 or younger
Shingles affecting the eye can potentially cause problems with your eyesight, so it is particularly important to seek medical advice promptly.
You can get urgent advice through NHS 111 online.
How long does shingles last?
The shingles rash can take up to 4 weeks to heal. The affected skin can remain painful after the rash has disappeared, although this usually improves over time.
Some people develop longer-lasting nerve pain called post-herpetic neuralgia. Getting appropriate treatment as soon as possible can help reduce the risk of complications.
Do I need to see my GP first?
No. If you are aged 18 or over and have symptoms of shingles, you can contact a participating community pharmacy directly for an NHS Pharmacy First consultation.
You may also be referred to Pharmacy First by your GP practice, NHS 111 or another NHS healthcare service.
Can shingles be prevented?
The NHS shingles vaccination programme helps protect eligible people against shingles and its complications. Even if you have previously had shingles, vaccination may still be recommended if you are eligible.
You can find out more about eligibility and vaccination on the NHS shingles vaccine page.
Convenient NHS care from your local pharmacy
NHS Pharmacy First makes it easier to access professional healthcare for shingles without needing to wait for a GP appointment.
Our pharmacist can assess your symptoms, provide advice and, where clinically appropriate, supply antiviral treatment through the NHS service.
Book an appointment today
If you are aged 18 or over and think you may have shingles, book an appointment with our pharmacy team as soon as possible. Early assessment is important, particularly within the first few days of the rash appearing.
