It starts with a tingling sensation — an itch you can’t quite scratch. Then, a burning pain creeps in, followed by a rash that blossoms into angry, fluid-filled blisters. For many, this is the reality of shingles, a condition that strikes unexpectedly and leaves an unforgettable mark. The Unseen Enemy: What is Shingles? Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Once you’ve had chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the nerve tissues near your spinal cord and brain. For reasons still not fully understood, it can reawaken years or even decades later, causing a painful rash often wrapped around one side of the torso or face. More than Skin Deep: The Effects of Shingles The physical pain of shingles is just the tip of the iceberg. Patients often describe the discomfort as a mix of burning, stabbing, and electric shock-like sensations. But it doesn’t end there. Some e...