The problem with Shingles is that once you've recovered from Chicken Pox, the herpes virus that causes it goes dormant in the fibers surrounding the nerves. When you get shingles, the virus "wakes up" and causes inflammation of the fibers surrounding the nerves. It most often presents as a "belt" going around the lower back, but it present anywhere. The worst presentation is if it presents in the optic nerve, which besides being painful, can cause permanent blindness.
It's incredibly painful, and people have committed suicide from long term pain.
Mark
I have found that topical witch hazel dabbed on the healing blistes will help a lot with the itching if the other mentioned treatments fail..
I have a long history with kidney stones. The last time lasted 11 days off and on. When I finally passed the last one, I was so drained by the pain that it took close to a month to totally get over it.
I remember thinking that if I had to bear that pain permanently, I simply would not do so.
“The worst presentation is if it presents in the optic nerve, which besides being painful, can cause permanent blindness.”
Had a neighbor with an outbreak in one of her eyes. She lost the eye.