What is shingles? Signs and symptoms as Holly Willoughby misses This Morning
Holly Willoughby has delayed her return to This Morning after revealing she is suffering from shingles.
The presenter, 42, who has been off our screens during the Easter holidays, was due back on the sofa to host the TV show today, but has shared that she has been struck down with the infection.
In a post, added to her Instagram Stories, Willoughby wrote: “Hi… Just to let you know I may be away for the rest of the week as I have shingles… I’ll be back as soon as I’m better. Huge love, Holly.”
The infection, which presents as a painful rash, is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.
In Willoughby's absence today, This Morning revealed that former The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes will be in the studio alongside co-host Philip Schofield.
The talk show's official social media account posted: “Tomorrow at 10am on ITV1 and STV, it’s welcome back after the Easter holidays to Phillip and get better soon to Holly who’s off ill for a few days."
Willoughby isn't the only celebrity to suffer from shingles recently. Last year Eamonn Holmes shared a picture of his swollen face as he detailed his "exhausting" experience with shingles.
The presenter, 63, posted a selfie last March as part of an advertising campaign to raise awareness about the viral condition.
Holmes tweeted: "Having had shingles, I know how painful and exhausting it can be. That's why I am supporting #ShinglesAwarenessWeek with @GSK and @IntFedAgeing."
The star initially suffered a shingles flare up in 2018 on his son Declan's wedding day in 2018.
"The timing was awful," he previously revealed on Loose Women. "The dangerous thing about mine was that if it's on your face, it can affect, maybe impair your eyesight."
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What is shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you've ever had chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in your body long after you've healed.
Around 194,000 people in England and Wales get shingles every year.
The first signs of shingles can be a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin, a headache or feeling generally unwell, according to the NHS.
It is likely a rash will appear a few days later.
Usually you get the shingles rash on your chest and tummy, but it can appear anywhere on your body including on your face, eyes and even on genitals.
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Interestingly, the rash will appear as blotches on your skin, on one side of your body only. A rash on both the left and right of your body is unlikely to be shingles.
According to the Shingles Support Society (SSS), red patches are usually the first sign of the rash appearing but there may also be itching, tingling or burning under the skin, pain around the area and “fluid-filled blisters” that burst and turn into sores before they dry out.
The rash can take up to five weeks to heal and the infection can also cause fever, headaches and fatigue.
Some sufferers can suffer ongoing nerve pain as a result, with skin remaining painful for weeks after the rash has gone, but it usually gets better over time.
If you suspect you may be suffering from shingles the NHS suggests calling 111 or visiting your GP as you might need medication.
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Shingles treatment
For treating shingles at home, the NHS website advises taking paracetamol, keeping the rash clean and dry, wearing loose-fitting clothes and using a cool compress a few times a day.
It warns against letting dressings or plasters stick to the rash or using antibiotic cream.
You cannot spread shingles to others, but people who have not had chickenpox before could catch chickenpox from you.
This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus.
The NHS urges those infected to stay away from certain groups of people to avoid spreading chickenpox, including pregnant people who have not had chickenpox before, people with a weakened immune system and babies less than one month old.
A vaccination is available on the NHS for people in their 70s. It can help reduce your risk of getting shingles and if you get shingles after being vaccinated, the symptoms can be much milder.
Ask your GP surgery if you can get the vaccine on the NHS.
Additional reporting PA.
