Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsShingles vs. Other ConditionsPsoriasisEczemaAllergic RashRingwormFolliculitisMeaslesChickenpoxWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Shingles vs. Other Conditions
Psoriasis
Eczema
Allergic Rash
Ringworm
Folliculitis
Measles
Chickenpox
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Conditions that can be mistaken forshinglesinclude:
If you have a rash that suddenly occurs, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine what’s causing it. Shingles and conditions that can be mistaken for it have very different causes and, thus, require very different treatments.
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The main symptoms of shingles include:
Other, less common symptoms may include:
That said, the following are conditions that can sometimes resemble shingles.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoLipowski/ Getty Images
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Lipowski/ Getty Images
A person with plaque psoriasis breaks out in a rash that most often starts as small red bumps; these eventually grow larger and form a scaly surface. A psoriasis rash progresses to red bumps and silvery-scaled patches, which are often seen on the knees, elbows, or scalp.
In contrast, a shingles rash is usually seen on one side of the torso, rib area, or face; it is rarely found on the knees, elbows, orscalp.
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This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023
Eczemais a chronic (long-term) skin condition that often starts during early childhood, or even during infancy. It can manifest at any time during a person’s lifetime, however.
Eczema is an inflammation of the skin associated with different underlying genetic and environmental factors.Food allergies, asthma, and allergicrhinitisare often linked with eczema.
Symptoms of the condition include dry or cracked, scaly skin with red patches or plaques on the back of the knees or the inside of the elbows.
Treatment strategiesfor eczema and psoriasis are often similar, and may even be the same in some instances.
To differentiate eczema from shingles, it’s helpful to know that shingles may have fluid leakage and there are no plaques involved in a shingles breakout.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023.
There are several types of allergic skin conditions/rashes, including:
One way to tell the difference between contact dermatitis and shingles is that shingles often appears as a strip or band of blisters that will not usually cross the body’s midline, as they appear on only one side of the body. Contact dermatitis will show up in the area that had contact with the irritant, which can be on any part of the body.
It’s fairly easy to differentiate between hives and shingles. Hives are barely raised, larger in circumference, and paler in color than shingles.
A shingles rash involves a strip of small blisters, rather than wheals like in hives. Shingles also is not widespread; it usually manifests as a single strip or band of small blisters.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Ringwormis a type of fungal infection that can affect the skin on any part of the body (including the fingernails and the scalp). The symptoms of ringworm depend on where the fungus is located on the body. Generally, ringworm symptoms include:
Folliculitis refers to inflammation (or infection) of one or more hair follicles.This can happen when hair follicles become damaged or blocked. It can result from shaving, waxing, wearing tight clothing, or being exposed to bacteria in a hot tub.
Symptoms of folliculitis include:
Similar to a shingles rash, folliculitis can present with clusters of red bumps that crust over.However, unlike shingles, folliculitis is not limited to one side of the body and can affect anyone at any age.
Measlesis much more than just a rash, particularly in babies and small children. Measles can be very severe and even dangerous. Symptoms of measles include:
The most obvious difference between a measles rash and a shingles rash is the location. Measles spreads to multiple places on the body, while shingles is usually found in one location.
A Guide to Viral Rashes in Adults and Children
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatodermnetnz.org2023
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Te Whatu Ora Waikatodermnetnz.org2023
Thechickenpoxrash usually appears on the torso, scalp, and face first, then spreads over the entire body. Itchy, fluid-filled blisters appear and eventually scab over. Other symptoms include:
Summary
Shingles can sometimes be difficult to recognize or distinguish from other skin conditions if you have never seen it before. That said, it is important to see a healthcare provider who can confirm if you have shingles. Keep in mind that the shingles rash is typically confined to a small area on one side of the torso, neck, or face, shows clusters of fluid-filled blisters, and is painful to the touch.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: overview.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: similarities, differences and treatments.American Academy of Asthma & Immunology.Allergic skin conditions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.MedlinePlus.Folliculitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis.Penn Medicine.Folliculitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox symptoms and complications.Kang H, Ailshire J, Crimmins E.The prevalence of shingles among older adults in the U.S.Gerontologist. 2015;56(3):48. doi:10.1093/geront/gnw162.199
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: overview.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: similarities, differences and treatments.American Academy of Asthma & Immunology.Allergic skin conditions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.MedlinePlus.Folliculitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis.Penn Medicine.Folliculitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox symptoms and complications.Kang H, Ailshire J, Crimmins E.The prevalence of shingles among older adults in the U.S.Gerontologist. 2015;56(3):48. doi:10.1093/geront/gnw162.199
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: overview.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: similarities, differences and treatments.American Academy of Asthma & Immunology.Allergic skin conditions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.MedlinePlus.Folliculitis.American Academy of Dermatology.Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis.Penn Medicine.Folliculitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox symptoms and complications.Kang H, Ailshire J, Crimmins E.The prevalence of shingles among older adults in the U.S.Gerontologist. 2015;56(3):48. doi:10.1093/geront/gnw162.199
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About shingles (herpes zoster).
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: overview.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Penn Medicine.Eczema vs. psoriasis: similarities, differences and treatments.
American Academy of Asthma & Immunology.Allergic skin conditions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.
MedlinePlus.Folliculitis.
American Academy of Dermatology.Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis.
Penn Medicine.Folliculitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Measles symptoms and complications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chickenpox symptoms and complications.
Kang H, Ailshire J, Crimmins E.The prevalence of shingles among older adults in the U.S.Gerontologist. 2015;56(3):48. doi:10.1093/geront/gnw162.199
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