Most cases of shingles last about three to five weeks. The progression typically follows this timeline:
- Early symptoms such as burning, tingling, itching, or numbness on one side of the body appear first and can last up to 5 days.
- A red rash then develops within 1 to 5 days after the initial sensations.
- The rash quickly turns into fluid-filled blisters that may ooze and last about 7 to 10 days.
- The blisters then dry up and crust over, forming scabs.
- The scabs usually clear up within 2 to 3 weeks after blistering begins.
Overall, the rash and its healing process can take up to 4 to 5 weeks to fully resolve
. However, pain and itching can persist beyond the rash healing. Some people experience postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a condition where nerve pain lasts for months or even years after the rash clears, especially older adults or those with weakened immune systems
. In summary, shingles rash and blisters typically last 3 to 5 weeks, but pain and other symptoms may continue longer in some cases. Early antiviral treatment can help shorten the duration and severity of the infection
