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What to do if…
you develop a new painful blistering rash in a band on one side of your body

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Treat this as possible shingles and get same-day clinical advice from a pharmacist, your GP surgery, or an NHS urgent advice route. This matters most if the rash is near your eye, you are pregnant, you are immunocompromised, or you feel very unwell.

Do not do these things

  • Do not wait a few days to see if it fades if the rash is painful, blistering, and only on one side.
  • Do not scratch or pop the blisters.
  • Do not put antibiotic cream, strong antiseptics, or new medicated creams on it unless a pharmacist or clinician tells you to.
  • Do not let other people touch the rash or blister fluid.
  • Do not share towels or flannels while the blisters are weeping.
  • Do not have skin-to-skin contact between the rash and pregnant people who have not had chickenpox, babies under 1 month old, or anyone with a weakened immune system.
  • Do not take ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medicines if they are not normally safe for you. If unsure, ask a pharmacist or clinician.

What to do now

  1. Get same-day advice and say “possible shingles”. Contact a pharmacist, your GP surgery, or an NHS urgent advice route. Say: “I have a new painful blistering rash in a band on one side of my body. The pain or tingling started on [date/time], and the rash appeared on [date/time].”
  2. If the rash is on your forehead, eyelid, around your eye, or on your nose, seek urgent advice now. Also seek urgent advice now if you have a red or painful eye, light sensitivity, blurred vision, hearing changes, or weakness on one side of your face.
  3. If you are in England and aged 18 or over, a community pharmacist may be able to assess shingles and provide treatment through Pharmacy First if appropriate. In other parts of the UK, pharmacy services and NHS urgent-care routes differ, but a pharmacist can still advise you and direct you to the right NHS help.
  4. Take clear photos before covering it. Take one close-up photo and one photo showing where it sits on your body. This can help if you are assessed remotely.
  5. Keep the rash clean, dry, and lightly covered with loose clothing or a non-stick dressing. Wash your hands after touching the area. You may be contagious until the last blister has dried and scabbed over.
  6. Use simple comfort measures that are safe for you. Paracetamol can help pain if you can take it safely and follow the label. A cool damp cloth and loose clothing may reduce discomfort.
  7. Tell the pharmacist or clinician urgently if you are pregnant, breastfeeding with a rash on the breast, immunocompromised, aged 17 or under, have a widespread rash, have severe pain, or feel significantly unwell.
  8. Call 999 or go to A&E if you are rapidly worsening, very drowsy or confused, have a severe headache with feeling very unwell, have severe eye symptoms, or feel this could be an emergency.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide whether it is definitely shingles before asking for help.
  • You do not need to deep-clean your home. Focus on covering the rash, handwashing, and avoiding direct contact with blister fluid.
  • You do not need to decide about work, school, caring duties, or travel until you have had advice. It often depends on whether the rash is weeping, whether it can be covered, and who you have contact with.
  • You do not need to research every possible rash tonight. The useful next step is to describe the pattern, timing, pain, and any eye or face symptoms.

Important reassurance

A painful, one-sided, band-like blistering rash is a recognised pattern that NHS services are used to assessing. Getting advice promptly is a practical step, not an overreaction.

Scope note

These are first steps for the next few hours. Later decisions about antiviral medicine, pain control, follow-up, work, school, and vaccination may need advice from NHS services or another qualified healthcare professional.

Important note

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. A new painful blistering rash, especially one-sided or near the eye, needs prompt assessment by a pharmacist, GP, NHS urgent care service, or emergency care if symptoms are severe.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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