Diagnosing and Treating Shingles: How Dermatologists Can Help with this Painful Rash

If you’ve been feeling a strange, localized tingling or burning sensation on one side of your body, and then a cluster of blisters suddenly pops up, you might be dealing with shingles. For our neighbors in Aberdeen, Ipswich, and Groton, SD, shingles is more than just a blemish. It can be an incredibly painful experience that impacts your daily life.

At Aberdeen Dermatology Associates, Dr. Ty Hanson, DO, and our team see this condition frequently. While shingles is common, it requires a professional clinical touch to manage the pain and ensure your skin heals properly. Here is what you need to know about shingles and why your dermatologist is your best ally in getting through it.

How the Virus Works

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same one that causes chickenpox. After you recover from chickenpox as a kid, the virus doesn't leave your body. Instead, it goes to sleep in your nerve tissues.

Decades later, that virus can wake up. Factors like stress, aging, or a weakened immune system can trigger it to travel down the nerve fibers to your skin. This is why a shingles rash usually appears as a stripe or a band on just one side of the face or body; it follows the path of a single nerve.

Spotting the Signs Early

Shingles usually gives you a heads-up before the rash appears. You might notice:

• The Pre-Rash Tingle: A few days before the blisters show up, you might feel burning, itching, or a stabbing pain in a specific area.
• The Blister Band: A red rash develops, followed by fluid-filled blisters that eventually break open and crust over.
• The Nerve Sensitivity: Even a light touch from a shirt or a breeze can feel very painful in the affected area.

How a Professional Evaluation Makes a Difference

It is tempting to try to tough it out at home, but shingles is time-sensitive. At South Dakota’s Aberdeen Dermatology Associates, we help you get ahead of the virus.

Dr. Hanson uses his clinical expertise to confirm the diagnosis and, most importantly, get you started on antiviral medications. These work best when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing. They help the blisters heal faster and, crucially, they lower the risk of long-term nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia.

Beyond the Rash: Managing the Pain

We don't just look at the skin; we look at your comfort. Shingles pain can be intense because the virus is irritating the nerves. We offer a variety of professional strategies to help, including:

• Topical Treatments: Specialized creams or patches to numb the area.
• Pain Management: Guidance on medications that specifically target nerve-related discomfort.
• Wound Care: Advice on how to keep the blisters clean and prevent secondary skin infections.

We’re Here for Our South Dakota Neighbors

Whether you are right here in Aberdeen or driving in from Groton or Ipswich, we want to help you get back to feeling like yourself as quickly as possible. Shingles can be a literal pain, but with the right clinical plan, you can overcome it.

If you suspect you have shingles or have a painful new rash, give Aberdeen Dermatology Associates a call today to schedule an urgent appointment with Dr. Ty Hanson. Call (605) 226-0560.