Shingles vs Eczema

How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.

Feature
Shingles
Eczema
Category
Common
Common
Key feature
Painful blistering rash in a band on one side of the body. Caused by reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Vaccine available.
Red, itchy, inflamed skin - the most common chronic skin condition in children. Part of the atopic triad with asthma and hay fever.
Risk factors
Age over 50 (risk increases significantly with age); History of chickenpox (required for shingles to occur); Weakened immune system
Family history of eczema, asthma, or hay fever; Filaggrin gene mutations (skin barrier dysfunction); Living in dry or cold climates
Action needed
Painful rash in a band on one side of the body - seek treatment within 72 hours
Eczema not controlled with regular moisturizing and over-the-counter hydrocortisone

Shingles

Shingles (herpes zoster) occurs when the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox - reactivates from dormancy in nerve cells, typically decades after the initial chickenpox infection.

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Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing red, itchy, dry, and sometimes weeping or crusting patches. It is the most common chronic skin disease in children, affecting up to 20% of children and 3% of adults worldwide.

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Does yours look more like shingles?

Quick self-check

Does this look like shingles? Answer 2 questions.

Is it a painful rash in a band or strip on ONE side of the body?

Did pain or tingling start before the rash appeared?

Still not sure?

Our full ABCDE checker evaluates 5 clinical criteria dermatologists use.

Full ABCDE check →