Can a Person Get Shingles in the Mouth?
Shingles can occur in the mouth, on the face and around the eyes and ears, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Triggered by the same virus that causes chicken pox, shingles is primarily found in a narrow area from the spine around to the front of the abdomen or chest.
Shingles is a painful rash with blisters. Within 7 to 10 days, the blisters form scabs that can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to clear up. After a person has chicken pox, the virus remains inactive in the body. The reasons behind the virus becoming active again are unknown, but people are most likely to develop the condition if they are older than 60, had chicken pox before the age of one and have a weakened immune system, according to the U.S. Library of Medicine.
Before it even develops, this rash can produce pain, itching and even tingling in the area where it will be, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This can occur anywhere from 1 to 5 days before the actual blisters appear. Shingles can sometimes cause loss of vision if they occur around the eyes. Other symptoms of the illness include fever, headache, chills and an upset stomach.
