How long will shingles take to heal?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on May 17, 2025
00:00
00:00

Shingles, which generally takes two to three weeks to heal, is a skin disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus infection. It usually occurs when the body’s immune system is weakened, manifesting as blisters along the path governed by skin nerves. The blisters are a self-limiting disease and can heal on their own, but some individuals may experience severe symptoms and significant pain, requiring treatment with medication under a doctor's guidance. If the person is young with strong physical health and resistance, recovery typically takes about two weeks. However, for elderly individuals with poorer health, weaker immune systems, and underlying diseases, recovery may take three weeks or longer.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
48sec home-news-image

What family does shingles belong to?

Shingles can be treated in three medical departments. First, dermatology. Since the blisters primarily appear on the skin, seeing a dermatologist can treat shingles. Second, neurology. As shingles may be caused by nerve damage, treatment can be sought from a neurologist. Third, for severe pain, especially if postherpetic neuralgia remains after shingles, one can consult the pain management department. The initial symptoms of shingles are mainly pain, particularly unilateral limb or unilateral scalp/facial pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
30sec home-news-image

Can people with herpes zoster take a bath?

Whether or not someone who has herpes zoster (shingles) can take a bath depends on the individual’s condition. Most patients can bathe, but they must not scrub, especially at the areas affected by the rash. A minority of patients should avoid bathing if their blisters have ruptured, leading to open sores that could facilitate a secondary bacterial infection. In such cases, bathing is not recommended as it may worsen the infection.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Gang
Dermatology Department
37sec home-news-image

How long does herpes zoster take to heal?

The healing time for shingles varies from person to person; generally, younger people recover faster, while older individuals take longer. Treatment typically includes oral antiviral medications like famciclovir and acyclovir, as well as nutrients for nerve health such as vitamins B1 and B12, along with oral traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. However, if it progresses to postherpetic neuralgia, the condition tends to heal more slowly. Postherpetic neuralgia can only alleviate pain but is generally difficult to cure completely.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
34sec home-news-image

Can I eat chicken with herpes zoster?

People with shingles can eat chicken. Shingles is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus, often occurring in patients with low immunity. The onset of shingles is not directly related to diet. After contracting shingles, it is recommended to rest and eat protein-rich foods such as chicken to enhance the body's resistance, which is beneficial for the recovery of the disease. This provides the necessary nutrients to complement the medical treatment of shingles.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
35sec home-news-image

How long does it generally take for herpes zoster to heal?

Most patients, if they do not develop complications from shingles, generally recover within two to four weeks. However, many patients who do develop related complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia, motor paralysis, or gastrointestinal or urinary tract diseases from shingles, have an uncertain recovery time. It could be several weeks, months, or even years. Therefore, once shingles occur, it is essential to seek timely medical treatment at a formal hospital and pay attention to enhancing one's immunity.