Contact your GP or the out-of-hours doctor quickly. Treatment works best within 3 days. With a red eye or reduced vision: contact us the same day.
Symptoms
- Burning pain or tingling in the skin on one side of the forehead a few days before the rash
- Red blisters on the forehead, scalp and eyelid on one side
- Swollen eyelids
- A red, painful, light-sensitive eye and blurred vision if the eye is affected
Blisters on the tip of the nose
If there are also blisters on the tip or side of the nose, the risk that the eye is affected is higher. The eye should then always be examined.
Who gets shingles?
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. The risk increases with age and with a weakened immune system. A vaccine is available for adults over 50 and for people at increased risk. Ask your GP about it.
Treatment
Antiviral tablets shorten the illness and reduce the risk of eye damage and long-lasting pain. Treatment should start as soon as possible, preferably within 3 days of the rash. If the eye is inflamed, it is also treated with eye drops. Some people have pain in the skin for a long time afterwards, which your GP can treat.
What happens at our clinic?
- We examine the cornea and the inside of the eye under a microscope and measure the pressure.
- If the eye is inflamed, we start treatment with drops and follow you with check-ups.
- The tablets are usually prescribed by your GP or the out-of-hours doctor, so contact them first.
This text is general information and does not replace an examination. If you are unsure about your symptoms, call us.