Children who have previously had chickenpox can get shingles. In very rare cases, shingles can also be a reaction to the chickenpox vaccine. A painful rash, fever, nausea, and chills are common symptoms of shingles in children.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Shingles causes an itchy, painful rash that primarily affects adults over age 50. However, any adult or child who has previously had chickenpox may develop shingles if the dormant virus in their body reactivates.
How to know if your child is developing shingles may be difficult at first. Mild discomfort like itching, tingling, or burning pain on some parts of the body or face are common early signs of shingles in children.
Your child may experience skin irritation, similar to something rubbing against their skin, in a small area or along a band (or nerve path) across one side of the trunk (torso), including:
- stomach
- chest
- back
- buttocks
Shingles may also develop in other areas of the body, including the scalp and face.
The sensation may range in intensity from mild to severe.
How long shingles last may vary individually. Mild symptoms may last up to 10 days before a rash starts to develop. At first, the rash may be an area that feels warmer to the touch, itchy, and may look red or inflamed. After a few days, small fluid-filled blisters may appear together with localized pain.
The blisters in shingles may look similar to chickenpox, but they’re generally clustered in a band or area, or may look like a burn. Chickenpox blisters, on the other hand, are scattered throughout the body.
Along with pain and rash, other signs of shingles in children may include:
- fever
- headaches
- nausea
- chills
- lack of appetite
The blistering rash may take up to 5 weeks to resolve.
Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. This means that for a child to get shingles, they must have previously had chickenpox, or,
Shingles cannot occur without prior exposure to VZV. The first time somebody gets this virus, they will develop chickenpox and not shingles.
After chickenpox resolves, the
What triggers the varicella-zoster virus a second time isn’t clear yet. Possible causes of shingles in children may include:
- being exposed to chickenpox during pregnancy. If you are exposed to chickenpox between
2 and 21 days before giving birth, it’s possible your baby may develop chickenpox first and shingles later on during childhood. - developing chickenpox as a baby. Children who had chickenpox before age 1 may be more likely to develop shingles.
- having a weakened immune system. This includes children who have health conditions that affect their immunity and those who take medications or treatments that lower immunity.
Children who’ve received the chickenpox vaccine are
Shingles is
Even mild shingles on the face may compromise the eyes or lead to temporary or permanent vision loss.
Other possible, but rare, complications of shingles in children include:
- pneumonia
- Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which may lead to hearing issues
- encephalitis (brain inflammation)
- meningitis
- postherpetic neuralgia (long-term nerve pain)
- stroke
Skin infections may also develop during the time the rash is active. Keeping the skin clean and dry is advised.
Children who are immunosuppressed or using immunosuppressants may have a higher chance of developing complications of shingles.
No cure has yet been developed for shingles. In most cases, shingles resolves on its own after a few weeks. You should let your pediatrician know if you suspect your child may have shingles, even if the symptoms are mild.
If you see a blistering rash appear on your child’s face, especially along the nose and near the eyes, consider it a medical emergency.
Otherwise, treatment for shingles is about making your child comfortable and possibly shortening the course and severity of the viral infection.
Your child’s healthcare team may recommend antiviral medications within 72 hours of the first symptoms to reduce shingles severity and duration.
Depending on your child’s age, your pediatrician may also suggest using over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medications to ease nerve pain.
Your child may experience pain and discomfort during a shingles infection. It’s important to follow doctor’s recommendations and monitor your child’s rash, especially if it’s close to the face.
Other home care strategies for shingles may include:
- Cool baths: Cool water may help ease the burning sensation that often accompanies shingles. You may also want to consider an oatmeal bath and not rubbing your child’s skin.
- Cool compresses: A moist, cool compress (like a wet washcloth) may provide pain relief if your child can’t sleep or seems distressed.
- Loose-fitting clothing: Natural fibers like cotton may allow your child’s skin to breathe.
- Distractions: Your little one may be better able to cope with discomfort if they’re distracted by a book, game, craft, or television show.
- Anti-itch creams: Consider asking the pediatrician about itch remedies and medications for children. Calamine lotion, for example, may help dry out blisters and soothe your child’s skin. Try not to apply any natural remedies or medications that your doctor hasn’t approved.
You cannot get shingles from your child if you’ve never had chickenpox, but you may get chickenpox. To lower the chance of transmission, keep your child’s rash covered at all times if it’s oozing. Washing their and your hands frequently is also encouraged.
If your child has had chickenpox, there’s a chance they may develop shingles. Here’s what you need to know about prevention, sending your child to school, and how shingles differs from chickenpox.
Can children with shingles go to school?
Children who have shingles can pass on the chickenpox virus to children who haven’t had it or who haven’t been vaccinated against it. For this reason, it’s important to keep your child home from school, particularly when an active rash is present. Any fluid from the blisters can pass the virus to another person.
The
You may want to speak with your school nurse about your child’s return to school and what measures you may need to take to lower the risk of transmission to others.
Is it possible for your child to get shingles if they never had chickenpox?
If your child has had the
What’s the difference between shingles and chickenpox?
Both chickenpox and shingles infections are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The difference is that chickenpox is the infection you get after the first exposure to the virus, and shingles is the infection you get when something reactivates the dormant virus in your body after having chickenpox.
The rashes also look different. Chickenpox blisters can be found throughout the entire body. Shingles tends to be clustered in one area of the body, usually on the trunk or face.
Can you prevent pediatric shingles?
You cannot prevent shingles in children who’ve had chickenpox. Researchers say that getting the chickenpox vaccine may provide protection against both chickenpox and shingles before age 17, though. In a 2019 study, children who had the chickenpox vaccine were 78% less likely to develop shingles than children who hadn’t had the vaccine.
While uncommon, children may develop shingles if they have previously had exposure to VZV via a chickenpox infection or vaccine.
Localized irritation may be an early sign of shingles. A painful and itchy rash may develop days later and will manifest as clusters of small oozing blisters. Fever, nausea, and chills may also occur.
Letting your child’s doctor know as soon as you notice signs of shingles, particularly if there’s a blistering rash on the face, is highly advised. Antiviral medications during the first few days may reduce symptom severity and duration.
