Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate years later as shingles. The hallmark of shingles is a painful rash that typically appears as a stripe of blisters on one side of the body, often wrapping around the torso.
The pain associated with shingles is due to nerve inflammation caused by the virus. This can result in a burning, sharp, or shooting pain that can be debilitating. The severity of the pain is one of the most debilitating aspects of shingles, and it can persist even after the rash has healed, a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia.