The answer is Herpes Zoster! More commonly known as SHINGLES.

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) is an acute (short-term) infection associated with the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) or Chickenpox. It characteristically starts with unilateral pain (on one side of the body). It progresses to vesicular eruption (like little blisters) in the area of a dermatome (a single spinal nerve). The skin lesions may be pruritic (itchy) but not painful. 20% of people who get shingles are at risk for developing the chronic stage- postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) can persist for months or even years after the original skin lesions have resolved.

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) usually occurs in older adults (older than 55 years of age). There is a vaccine to prevent shingles. It is recommended for people older than 60 years of age. More about that on my next post!