How to Treat Shingles For Good—Plus Home Remedies That Soothe the Painful, Itchy Rash
Plus learn who should get the Shingrix vaccine to prevent flare-ups
We often think of chickenpox as a children’s illness, but in reality, anyone can be affected. The virus can live dormant in your system for years only to flare up decades later as shingles, a painful rash that can be quite disruptive. In fact, Harrison Ford missed the 2025 Oscars after contracting shingles, according to a report by Entertainment Weekly, which said the actor was “doing okay” and “resting” after the diagnosis. Here we reveal how to treat shingles, who’s most at risk and how to prevent future flare-ups.
What is shingles and what does it feel like?
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (varicella-zoster). If you’ve ever had chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life and may reactivate as shingles even decades later.
“The main symptoms of shingles include a painful rash that usually shows up on one side of your body, often in a band or strip, along with burning or tingling sensations in the affected area,” explains Raj Dasgupta, MD, Chief Medical Advisor for Garage Gym Reviews.
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This rash may also consist of raised blisters that may be accompanied by stabbing or shooting pain, adds Robert Biernbaum, DO, Chief Medical Officer at WellNow Urgent Care. Other symptoms can include itching, fever and chills, tingling feeling under the skin, headache and nausea or vomiting, he says.
How long does shingles last?
The shingles infection usually lasts about three to five weeks, and the rash will usually progress from red bumps to blisters and then to crusts, explains Dr. Dasgupta. Some people experience pain even after the rash heals, and this is especially common for older adults.
“It’s important to talk to your doctor if the rash spreads, affects your face or eyes or if you have severe headaches or pain,” he says. “If you find that the pain lingers long after the rash has gone, it might be a sign of a condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which needs further attention.”
How to treat shingles with medication
Treating shingles typically involves antiviral medications like acyclovir or valacyclovir, which reduce the severity of the symptoms if taken early on, says Dr. Dasgupta.
In severe shingles cases, prescription pain medications, numbing agents or corticosteroids may be necessary, says Roger Kapoor, MD, senior executive vice president of Beloit Health System. If the blisters from the shingles rash are not properly cared for, they can become infected with bacteria, leading to skin infections, he cautions.
How to treat a shingles rash at home
As for treating shingles symptoms at home, over-the-counter pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also help ease the discomfort, Dr. Dasgupta says. Topical treatments for pain relief such as calamine lotion, cool compresses and oatmeal baths soothe the rash and provide relief from itching and discomfort.
“I recommend using a soothing lotion, such as calamine or a hypoallergenic moisturizer, two to three times per day to help calm the skin and alleviate itching,” offers Hannah Kopelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Kopelman Hair Restoration and host of the podcast Derm Club. “Continue this for as long as the rash is active and until any scabs have healed,” she says.
You can use a cool compress on the affected area about three to four times a day, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes each time, says Dr. Kopelman. This will help reduce inflammation and discomfort. “Make sure the compress is cool but not ice-cold to avoid irritating the skin further,” she cautions.
If you opt for an oatmeal bath, the water should be tepid, as overly warm water can exacerbate itching or dryness, says Dr. Kopelman. She suggests aiming for a bath once daily for about 15-20 minutes.
Who’s at risk for shingles?
In addition to having had chickenpox, there are a few other factors that can increase your susceptibility to shingles by compromising your immune system.
- Age: The risk of developing shingles increases with age, especially for adults 50 years and older—(Ford is 82)—due to the natural decline in the body’s immune system, says Brynna Connor, MD, Healthcare Ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com.
- A weakened immune system: The virus can also reactivate if you become immunocompromised due to certain conditions such as HIV/AIDS, steroids, chemotherapy or radiation, organ transplants and the necessary immunosuppressive medications and the onset of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, says Dr. Connor.
- Stress or trauma: “Chronic stress or emotional trauma may lower the immune system’s ability to keep the virus dormant,” Dr. Connor adds.
What to know about the shingles vaccine
Thankfully, shingles is generally preventable, and the frontline defense is typically the shingles vaccine. Here’s what to know about the vaccine.
How effective is the shingles vaccine?
You may have heard of the Zostavax vaccine, which was discontinued in 2020 and replaced by the Shingrix vaccine, which was proven to be more effective, Dr. Connor explains. Shingrix is given in two doses (a shot in the upper arm), with the second dose recommended between two and six months after the first. The Shingrix vaccine can last for up to 10 years in older adults.
Shingrix is over 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and the potential painful complication postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which can cause long-term nerve pain, explains Dr. Dasgupta.
Who should get the shingles vaccine?
The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults age 50 and older, regardless of whether or not you’ve ever had shingles in your lifetime, says Dr. Connor. She emphasizes that people who have a weakened immune system or are immunocompromised should especially consider getting the shot.
How to boost your immunity against shingles
The Shingrix vaccine is the most effective prevention method, but some additional lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing shingles and its complications, says Dr. Connor.
- Eat, sleep and exercise: One key to maintaining a healthy immune system is eating a balanced diet based primarily on whole foods rich in vitamins, exercising regularly and getting adequate sleep, she suggests.
- Manage your stress: “Chronic stress can weaken the immune system,” advises Dr. Connor adds. “Practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or mindfulness or engaging in relaxation practices like gentle yoga can help manage or reduce stress.”
- Avoid contact with the condition: It’s also important to avoid coming into contact with people who have an active case of chickenpox or shingles. The varicella-zoster virus can be transmitted through direct contact with the fluid from the rash blisters, cautions Dr. Connor.
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