Shingles is a painful rash caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has chickenpox, the virus remains in their body and can reactivate later in life, causing shingles. Here is what shingles looks like:

• The shingles rash can be a distinctive cluster of fluid-filled blisters, often in a band around one side of the waist. This explains the term "shingles," which comes from the Latin word for belt. The next most common location is on one side of the forehead or around one eye. But shingles blisters can occur anywhere on the body.
• When the rash starts, you may notice pink or red blotchy patches on one side of your body along nerve pathways. The rash can then develop into a cluster of tiny, fast-growing blisters that quickly merge, rupture, and crust over.
• The rash typically looks like a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or the right side of your torso. Sometimes the shingles rash occurs around one eye or on one side of the neck or face. Shingles is characterized by pain or a tingling sensation in a limited area on one side of the face or torso, followed by a red rash with small, fluid-filled blisters.
• The rash can often be red, but it can be harder to see on brown and black skin. When the rash does appear, it may show as macules and eventually become vesicles.

Its important to note that the rash is usually accompanied by pain, itching, or tingling on the skin, which can happen several days before the rash appears. If you suspect you have shingles, its important to see a doctor as soon as possible for treatment.