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Shingles is a disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus stays in your body. It may not cause problems for many years. As you get older, the virus may reappear as shingles. Although it is most common in people over age 50, anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk. Unlike chickenpox, you can't catch shingles from someone who has it.

Early signs of shingles include burning or shooting pain and tingling or itching, usually on one side of the body or face. The pain can be mild to severe. Rashes or blisters appear anywhere from one to 14 days later. If shingles appears on your face, it may affect your vision or hearing. The pain of shingles may last for weeks, months or even years after the blisters have healed.

There is no cure for shingles. Early treatment with medicines that fight the virus may help. These medicines may also help prevent lingering pain.

A vaccine may prevent shingles or lessen its effects. The vaccine is recommended for people 60 or over. In some cases doctors may give it to people ages 50 to 59.

Our Providers

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Jennifer Sopkovich, MD

4.9 out of 5

Jennifer Sopkovich, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Associate Professor of Dermatology

Officenter Gahanna
Dermatology in Officenter Gahanna

(614) 293-1707

Spencer Dunaway, MD

4.8 out of 5

Spencer Dunaway, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Dermatology West

(614) 293-1707

Alisha Plotner, MD

4.9 out of 5

Alisha Plotner, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology

Officenter Gahanna
Dermatology in Officenter Gahanna

(614) 293-1707

Catherine Ulman, MD

4.9 out of 5

Catherine Ulman, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology

Outpatient Care New Albany
Dermatology in Outpatient Care New Albany

(614) 293-1707

Mark Bechtel, MD

4.9 out of 5

Mark Bechtel, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Professor and Chair of Dermatology

Outpatient Care New Albany
Officenter Gahanna
Dermatology in Outpatient Care New Albany
Dermatology in Officenter Gahanna

(614) 293-1707

Patricia Malerich, MD

4.9 out of 5

Patricia Malerich, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology

Outpatient Care Dublin
Dermatology in Outpatient Care Dublin

(614) 293-1707

Our Locations

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Ohio State Officenter Gahanna

Dermatology

in Officenter Gahanna

540 Officenter Place
Suite 240
Columbus, OH 43230

614-293-1707

Ohio State Dermatology West

Dermatology West

1328 Dublin Road
Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43215

614-293-1707

Ohio State Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Hilliard

Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Hilliard

3691 Ridge Mill Drive
Hilliard, OH 43026

614-688-9220

MarthaMorehouse_tile

Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care

2050 Kenny Road
Columbus, OH 43221

614-293-3890

Ohio State Eye and Ear Institute

Plastic Surgery

in Eye and Ear Institute

915 Olentangy River Road
2nd Floor Suite 2140
Columbus, OH 43212

614-293-8566

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