Symptoms
Symptoms of shingles
A one-sided band of pain then blisters is typical. Blisters on the tip of the nose (Hutchinson’s sign) or any eye symptom need same-day care because sight can be threatened.
Treatments
Shingles Treatment Online
Request shingles treatment online as soon as the rash appears. A clinician reviews antivirals quickly, with discreet UK delivery if they are appropriate.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful blistering rash on one side of the body or face, caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Antivirals work best if started within 72 hours of the rash.
We will review antiviral treatment urgently. Eye, ear, or widespread shingles, and shingles in people with weak immunity, need prompt in-person care.
The condition
What is shingles?
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful blistering rash on one side of the body or face, caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in a nerve. Years later it can travel down that nerve to the skin, often in a band on the chest or abdomen, or on the face.
You may feel tingling, burning or stabbing pain in the area for a few days before blisters appear. The rash crusts over about 2 to 4 weeks. Pain that continues after the rash heals is called post-herpetic neuralgia. Antivirals work best if started within 72 hours of the rash, and sometimes later in higher-risk people.
Private Pharmacy Care may review antiviral treatment when this service is open. A clinician decides. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Rash on the forehead, nose or eye, weakness of the face, widespread shingles, and shingles in people with weak immunity need prompt in-person care. The shingles vaccine prevents disease; it does not treat an active rash. Always read the patient information leaflet.
Causes
Causes of shingles
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. It is not caused by a new chickenpox infection from a child, though people who are not immune can catch chickenpox from shingles blister fluid.
Treatments
Available treatment options
This is a guide to licensed UK antivirals and self-care. A clinician decides whether a tablet course is appropriate and whether you must be seen in person first. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Start as soon as shingles is recognised.
Products
Aciclovir 400mg tablets
Aciclovir 400mg antiviral for shingles. Take two tablets five times a day for 7 days. £20 for 70…
Aciclovir 800mg tablets
Aciclovir 800mg antiviral for shingles. Take one tablet five times a day for 7 days. £20 for 35…
Paracetamol 500mg tablets
Paracetamol 500mg for mild to moderate pain with shingles. Can be taken alongside antivirals. Take two tablets four…
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Early antivirals can shorten the rash and may reduce complications. Pain control is part of care. The shingles vaccine is prevention, not treatment of an active rash.
Time-critical antivirals
Starting within 72 hours is the usual window for greatest benefit.
Pain advice
Simple painkillers and, if needed, further options via GP if pain is severe.
Contagion guidance
Avoid people who have not had chickenpox, especially pregnant people and newborns, until crusted.
Red-flag routing
Rash on the face near the eye needs same-day medical care.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Typical one-sided band of blisters in an adult, presenting early, may be suitable. Hutchinson’s sign (blisters on the nose tip) is an eye emergency.
May be suitable if
- A one-sided blistering rash with pain or tingling
- You can start antivirals promptly
- You can swallow tablets several times a day if prescribed
- You will isolate from vulnerable people until crusted
May not be suitable if
- Rash on the forehead, nose, or eye, or vision change
- You are immunocompromised or the rash is widespread
- Severe bacterial infection of the skin
- You are too unwell to drink or are confused
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if Shingles treatment is right for you?
If you have a shingles-like rash now, seek same-day NHS advice — antivirals are time-critical.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Aciclovir, valaciclovir, or similar drugs stop the virus multiplying. Complete the course. Keep the rash clean and covered if you can. Do not use sticky dressings that tear blisters.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Facial shingles can threaten sight. Same-day care is required if the eye could be involved.
Post-herpetic neuralgia is lingering pain — see a GP if pain continues after the rash heals.
- Start treatment as soon as shingles is recognised.
- Avoid pregnant people and infants who have not had chickenpox.
- Seek 111 or eye casualty for ocular symptoms.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Antivirals may cause nausea and headache. Stay hydrated, especially in older people.
- Nausea Take with water. Contact us if you vomit doses.
- Headache Usually mild.
- Dizziness More important in older adults — rise slowly.
- Abdominal pain Contact us if severe.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet. Antivirals are time-critical. The steps below are general.
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Start the course as soon as it is prescribed
Take doses at even intervals through the day and night if required. If you vomit a dose, ask whether to repeat it.
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Drink plenty of water
This matters for aciclovir in older people to protect the kidneys. Swallow tablets with water.
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Protect the rash
Wear loose clothing. Dab, do not scratch. Wash hands after touching blisters. Do not apply leftover steroid cream unless a clinician has said to.
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Plan pain and follow-up
If pain is severe or continues after crusts heal, contact a GP. Do not wait months hoping post-herpetic neuralgia will vanish without advice.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Nausea from antivirals is usually mild. Eye involvement, facial weakness and severe bacterial infection of the rash are not wait-and-see problems.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Rash on the forehead, nose or eyelid, or any vision change — same-day A&E or eye casualty.
- Facial droop, severe ear pain with blisters in the ear, or sudden hearing loss — emergency care.
- A widespread rash, high fever, confusion, or you are immunocompromised with suspected shingles — urgent hospital advice.
- Spreading hot redness around the rash with fever — possible bacterial infection; seek urgent care. Go to A&E if you are collapsing.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- You think you have shingles now — contact NHS 111 or a GP the same day if this private service is not open; the 72-hour window matters.
- Pain is not controlled with simple painkillers, or you cannot sleep.
- You have been in contact with a pregnant person or newborn while blisters were wet — they may need urgent advice even if you feel your rash is “mild”.
- Ask a GP later about shingles vaccination if you are in an eligible group, once the acute rash has been managed.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. If you have a one-sided blistering rash now, contact NHS 111 or a GP the same day — timing matters.
Can I catch shingles from someone?
You cannot catch shingles itself that way, but you can catch chickenpox from the fluid if you are not immune.
Does the vaccine treat an active rash?
No. Vaccination is preventive and arranged separately, usually via NHS criteria.
How long does the rash last?
Often 2 to 4 weeks to crust and heal. Pain can last longer.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS: Shingles Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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