Shingles vs Impetigo
How to tell the difference — key features compared side by side.
Feature
Shingles
Impetigo
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.
Highly contagious bacterial skin infection in children. Causes honey-colored crusted sores that spread by touch.
Risk factors
Age over 50 (risk increases significantly with age); History of chickenpox (required for shingles to occur); Weakened immune system
Childhood (ages 2-5 most common); Warm, humid climate; Crowded living conditions (daycare, schools)
Action needed
Painful rash in a band on one side of the body - seek treatment within 72 hours
Honey-colored crusted sores, especially in a child
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.
Read full guide →Impetigo
Impetigo is a common, highly contagious bacterial skin infection most frequently seen in children aged 2-5 years. It is caused primarily by Staphylococcus aureus and less commonly by group A Streptococcus.
Read full guide →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 →