If you have what you think are shingles then see your doctor immediately, being one of the most common of the neurological disorders the body produces painful, sometimes itchy, fluid-filled blisters on the skin. The virus is caused by the same herpes virus that causes chickenpox.

Even after the “pox” (blisters) disappears the virus stays in residence within the nervous system and can re-emerge if your immunity deteriorate, this will cause tell tale blisters, often on the torso or face but usually on one of the body.

Taking antiviral drugs should relive the symptoms and if taken within 72 hours of the symptoms first appearing the drugs could halve the risk of post herpetic neuralgia, a serious complication that can cause long-lasting, sometimes incapacitating pain.