You may recognise shingles as a painful, itchy, blistering rash that erupts on the torso. While this rash usually heals within 4 weeks, shingles can be excruciatingly painful, and you could experience complications that can result in pain for months or even years after the rash heals.1
Postherpetic neuralgia is nerve pain that persists for months or years after the shingles rash has healed.1 It’s the most common complication associated with shingles.2
Patients have previously described this pain as ‘horrible’ or ‘excruciating’.1 This can impact your mental health, with 2 in 3 patients who developed this pain reporting anxiety and depression.3*
Shingles typically presents as a rash on the torso.1 However, its presentation can be unpredictable and appear on the face, in up to 25% of patients.1,4 This can lead to eye complications and even vision loss in rare cases.1
Sometimes shingles can affect the nerves in your face and cause some muscles in the face to become paralysed. This can also impact your hearing and balance.1
Scarring and pigmentation changes can be permanent and can affect appearance and self-esteem.1,5
*Results found in a Chinese study. 69.0% of patients with long-term nerve pain (PHN) had anxiety (n/N=456/661) and 65.8% had depression (n/N=435/661).3
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“Shingles? I thought I was too young. I was wrong. The pain made me want to rip my skin off. I really struggled to sleep. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.”*
*Inspired by real patient stories. Shingles pain can last weeks or even months.
Shingles symptoms may vary among patients.1
Patient portrayal.
“Shingles? It was the worst experience of my life. There were these terrible blisters, which felt like my skin was on fire. I thought I was too young for shingles.”*
*Inspired by real patient stories. Shingles pain can last weeks or even months.
Shingles symptoms may vary among patients.1
Patient portrayal.
“Shingles? I’ve never felt pain like it, and I’ve had three kids. Most days I didn’t leave the house.”*
*Inspired by real patient stories. Shingles pain can last weeks or even months.
Shingles symptoms may vary among patients.1
Patient portrayal.
“Shingles? I thought it was for older people. It really slowed my life down."*
*Inspired by real patient stories. Shingles pain can last weeks or even months.
Shingles symptoms may vary among patients.1
Patient portrayal.
“Shingles? I had no idea someone healthy like me could get it. It was the worst experience of my life."*
*Inspired by real patient stories. Shingles pain can last weeks or even months.
Shingles symptoms may vary among patients.1
Patient portrayal.
“Shingles? There were these terrible blisters. I really struggled to sleep."*
*Inspired by real patient stories. Shingles pain can last weeks or even months.
Shingles symptoms may vary among patients.1
Patient portrayal.
All images across the webpage are patient portrayals.
If you experience any side effects while taking a medicinal product, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. Adverse events should be reported directly to the Cypriot Ministry of Health on the Yellowcard website: Κίτρινη Κάρτα - Υπουργείο Υγείας
Disease awareness information provided by GSK intended for members of the public in Cyprus only. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor for more information about shingles.
©2025 GSK group of companies or its licensor.
NP-DK-TVX-WCNT-250001 | JUNI 2025
