Shingles in Pregnancy: Causes, Risks, and Treatment
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Deepinder Kaur
(Gynaecologist)
This health content has been medically reviewed by qualified experts and follows the FirstCry Parenting editorial policy to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Shingle exposure in pregnancy is uncommon, and in most cases, it does not increase the risk of birth defects or harm the developing baby. The condition occurs when the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, becomes active again later in life. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 3 people in the United States will develop shingles during their lifetime, making it a relatively common viral infection (1). While shingles is more common in older adults, it can occasionally occur during pregnancy, leaving many women concerned about their own health and their baby’s well-being.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about shingles in pregnancy, including its symptoms, possible complications, and how it can be safely managed; so keep reading to learn more.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles is a skin disease. It is characterised by the occurrence of painful rashes, usually around either side of one’s upper body (2).
What Causes Shingles in Pregnancy?
Shingles is caused by varicella-zoster, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox (1). People who have been affected by chickenpox in the past have a likelihood of developing shingles, as the virus could lie dormant in their body for years. Shingles outbreaks can also be catalysed by pre-existing conditions such as HIV, treatments such as chemotherapy and even corticosteroid medications, which are, ironically, administered to fight inflammation. All of these factors contribute toward lowering immunity and hence, create a viable environment in your body, for the virus to thrive (3) (4).
Symptoms of Shingles
If anyone in your family has had chickenpox in the past or has a weak immune system; it is wise to keep an eye out for these symptoms (2) (4).
1. Early Stage
- Fever, headache, and weakness are common before any distinct signs of shingles show up.
- Certain areas of the body, usually on one side of the torso or face, could feel burning pain or numbness with a tingling sensation.
- The rashes associated with shingles appear days later.
2. Second Stage
- The appearance of reddened, blotchy, inflamed patches on the skin around the area where you’re experiencing pain. Shingles virus lays dormant within nerve cells. These itchy patches occur along nerve pathways.
- As your body tries to fight the virus, other inevitable symptoms associated with immunological attacks appear. These include fever, diarrhoea, nausea, and difficulty in urinating.
3. Third Stage
- Rapid appearance of rashes with pus-filled blisters on the inflamed patches of skin.
- These blisters slowly dry out and scab over. This process takes ten to fourteen days.
- Even after the lesions have dried out, dull pain could continue for up to four months and in some people, even years.
Is Shingles Contagious?
Shingles itself is not contagious, but the virus that causes shingles is contagious. Shingles cause oozing blisters, and the virus varicella-zoster can spread if one touches the oozing pus from the blisters of an infected person. A person exposed to this virus will develop chickenpox first, and not shingles (2). However, anyone who has had chickenpox in the past will not get infected by exposure to an infected person, as they already have this dormant virus in their body (6).
Risk of Shingles Exposure in Pregnancy
You cannot catch shingles from another person (1). However, if you have never had chickenpox or received the chickenpox vaccine, exposure to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) during pregnancy may cause you to develop chickenpox, which can lead to complications in some cases.
The virus can spread through (1):
- Respiratory droplets released when a person with chickenpox coughs or sneezes.
- Direct contact with the saliva of someone who has chickenpox.
- Touching the fluid from chickenpox blisters.
- Direct contact with the fluid inside shingles blisters.
How Is Shingles Diagnosed in Pregnancy?
Shingles can be diagnosed by the distinct appearance of rashes. However, if the rashes are not there, accurate diagnosis is impossible without the use of highly advanced testing to detect the varicella-zoster virus (4).
Does Shingles Cause Harm to the Mother and Baby?
All expectant mothers have this question in their mind. It is obvious for a woman to panic, but there is no need to worry. The effect of shingles on pregnancy is minimal (5). Since shingles only affect people who have had chickenpox before, they already possess immunity against the virus. This immunity protects the baby during pregnancy.
How to Treat Shingles During Pregnancy?
There is no cure for shingles. The disease usually begins and ends within a period of one month. During this time, painkillers and anti-viral medication could be used to relieve the symptoms up to a certain point (3). However, one should talk to a healthcare professional before taking any medicines for shingles during pregnancy, as it could affect the foetus (6).
Self Care Tips If You Have Shingles During Pregnancy
Shingles usually subside in a month. But a little effort from your side can provide relief from the pain and itching caused due to shingles. Here are some self-care tips that you should try if you have shingles during pregnancy:
- Use cold compresses over rashes to soothe burning sensation and itching. Cold baths also help in alleviating pain.
- Calamine solution or oatmeal baths soothe itching by binding to the skin. They also accelerate the drying up of blisters.
- Use loose gauze bandages to cover the affected areas. This allows the rashes to dry up. Tight bandaging causes humidity to develop between the skin and bandage, aggravating the rash.
- Change bandages every day, or after every bath.
- Wear loose clothing.
How Can You Prevent Shingles During Pregnancy?
Vaccination can help prevent shingles during pregnancy. However, the vaccine needs to be administered at least 3 months before you conceive to prevent possible ill effects of the vaccination itself on the pregnancy. If you didn’t have chickenpox, avoid exposure to other people who have either shingles or chickenpox as it could cause you to develop chickenpox. Chickenpox is highly dangerous during pregnancy. It has been linked to congenital disabilities or infection in the foetus (7). Therefore, you should take preventive measures in advance.
FAQs
1. Is shingles dangerous while pregnant?
Shingles during pregnancy is usually not dangerous for the baby (5). Since it is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in someone who has previously had chickenpox, the mother typically has antibodies that help protect the developing baby.
2. Can I breastfeed if I have shingles?
In most cases, breastfeeding can continue if there are no shingles lesions on the breast. However, any blisters should be covered, and good hygiene practices should be followed to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
3. How long does shingles last during pregnancy?
Most cases of shingles improve within 2 to 4 weeks (6). Prompt treatment can help reduce symptom severity and speed up recovery (3).
Being exposed to shingles while pregnant does not mean you will develop shingles, but it may require medical evaluation if you are not immune to chickenpox. In case you have rashes or are concerned about your health during pregnancy, reach out to your gynaecologist or a healthcare professional to get help and address your concerns.
Also Read:
TORCH Infection
Mumps in Pregnancy
Eczema during Pregnancy
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