infections
Shingles
Diagnosis of Shingles
A doctor's evaluation Rarely analysis or biopsy of a sample taken from the blisters People who suspect they have shingles should see a doctor right away because to be effective, treatment must be started early. Doctors ask them to precisely describe the location of the pain. Pain in a vague band on one side of the body suggests shingles. If characteristic blisters appear in the typical pattern (on a strip of skin representing a dermatome), the diagnosis is clear. Rarely, doctors take a sample from the blisters to be analyzed or do a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. 