WALKING THROUGH SHINGLES

I never expected shingles to hit me-but it did, and with an unexpected intensity. It all started in my eye, with a strange, persistent sensation like an annoying hair. It didn't last long before I realized this was no minor irritation.

At first, it felt like a harmless annoyance, a tiny flicker of discomfort. After days of the “something in my eye” feeling, I started having strange sensations on my face. I visited the dentist thinking it was a dental issue. After the all-clear from the dentist, I noticed redness and irritation on my temple, I knew something more serious was happening.

My vision started blurred, light felt piercing, and it was clear I needed medical help immediately. After a visit to the urgent care, I was sent immediately to the eye doctor.

A visit to the eye doctor felt urgent-and rightly so. I was diagnosed with shingles in the eye, medically known as herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). This occurs when the varicella-zoster virus—the same one responsible for chickenpox reactivates in the nerves of the face, particularly the eyelid and forehead area.

He quickly prescribed an antiviral medication to fight the virus, antiviral eye drops and steroid eye drops to reduce the inflammation and protect my vision.

Shortly after, I was hit with flu-like symptoms: fever, achiness and a deep fatigue that wrapped around me for about a week. Simultaneously, nerve pain began -sharp, pulsing, and deeply unsettling. These nerve pain cells felt like they had taken permanent residence.

Let's pull back the curtain on what shingles really is—and why it can be so tough.

Shingles, or herpes zoster, comes from the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-the same virus behind chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox, VZV lies dormant in nerve cells and can resurface years later as shingles. About one-third of people in the U.S. will experience shingles at some point in their lives. It's most common in adults 50 years or older, though younger individuals — especially those with weakened immune systems or stress-can get it too. In my case, HZO (when shingles affects the eye) accounts for 10-20% of all shingles cases.

According to my doctor, starting treatment within 72 hours of symptoms is critical as it significantly reduces the risk of complications, such as vision loss, scarring or glaucoma.

My rash began to heal within a few weeks. The typical timeline is 2 to 4 weeks, sometimes up to 5, but the nerve pain can linger. In my case, it is going on six weeks and I still have mild itching and nerve pain. Currently keeping the area moisturized and occasionally take Benadryl for the itching.

I think we all want to know how to prevent shingles in the first place. The shingles vaccine is recommended for most adults aged 50 and up, with strong protection-about 90% effective.

If there's a takeaway from this experience, it's how quickly something that feels small can escalate-and how important timely care is. I learned that listening to my body truly matters, and that seeking help early can protect not just our health, but our peace of mind.

To anyone navigating this pathway, you're not alone. Whether you're newly facing shingles or brushing off a strange irritation, trust your instincts and always advocate for yourself. Remember to give yourself lots of grace, rest when needed and try relaxation techniques, such as quiet music, mediation, a walk in nature or prayer.

Here’s to continued health -

xoxo

Shannon