Catching a gnarly cold or getting a hellish sunburn can throw a wrench into any vacation, but shingles can be a whole other level of pain to deal with. It’s bad enough to get it when you’re in the comfort of your own home, let alone when you’re on a trip and can’t see your regular doctor.
About one in three Americans will develop shingles (a.k.a. herpes zoster) in their lifetime. The illness emerges when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, reactivates in your body. Because shingles is an infection of the nerves, the earliest symptom is a sharp, burning, shooting, or tingling pain where, several days later, a distinctive rash forms, says Susan Massick, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
The hallmark red to purplish bumps usually appear on one side of the body. They often crop up on the back, chest, abdomen, neck, arms, and legs but can also affect the face. Eventually, those bumps blister, ooze fluid, and scab over. In addition to the discomfort of the rash, you may also feel generally crummy, like you have the flu.
To complicate things, nerve pain caused by shingles can last a while, and the fluid from the blisters might put others at risk. From getting the right care to making it home safely, here’s what to do if shingles derails your trip.
Get medical attention as soon as possible
If you think your symptoms point to shingles, seeing a health care provider ASAP is crucial, Dr. Massick says. Most doctors can easily identify the blistery rash, especially if you’re in pain, but they may take a tissue sample and send it to a lab for testing to be sure. If your doctor strongly suspects shingles by simply looking at your rash, they’ll usually err on the side of caution and get you started on oral antiviral medication. The most common side effects of these drugs are mild, so it’s not a huge risk if you start treatment and your lab result winds up negative.
“The earlier you treat it, the faster it gets better,” says Jason Miller, MD, the medical director of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. “More importantly, there’s great evidence to show that the earlier you treat shingles, the less likely you’ll have complications like prolonged pain.” Ideally, you should start taking antiviral meds within 72 hours of the appearance of the rash.
If you’re traveling domestically and have a solid relationship with your primary care doctor or dermatologist, contact their office and ask about your telehealth options. They may be able to take an urgent call to give you their opinion on whether your rash looks like shingles via photos or video and then direct you to a nearby clinic for treatment if they can’t prescribe medication across state lines. Dr. Massick notes that certain states might be stricter than others (she can only see patients in Ohio, even virtually), but your provider can confirm these details.
