Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering skin rash due to the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox.

Symptoms:

The first symptom is usually one-sided pain, tingling, or burning. The pain and burning may be severe and is usually present before any rash appears.

Red patches on the skin, followed by small blisters, form in most people.

• The blisters break, forming small ulcers that begin to dry and form crusts. The crusts fall off in 2 to 3 weeks. Scarring is rare.
• The rash usually involves a narrow area from the spine around to the front of the belly area or chest.
• The rash may involve face, eyes, mouth, and ears.

You may also have have pain, muscle weakness, and a rash involving different parts of your face if shingles affects a nerve in your face. 

Causes:

After you get chickenpox, the virus remains inactive (becomes dormant) in certain nerves in the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes active again in these nerves years later.

The reason the virus suddenly become active again is not clear. Often only one attack occurs.

Treatment with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine:

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are very effective for treating shingles. Both acupuncture and herbal medicine can eliminate the symptoms and stop the progress of the disease.