If you've had shingles once, you probably won't get it again. That doesn't mean it can't happen, it's just unlikely. Also called herpes zoster, shingles can come back a second or, rarely, a third time. But you can take steps to help prevent it, or ease it the next time around.

What causes shingles to flare up again?

Stress, some medications, and certain health conditions can reactivate the virus and trigger the symptoms of shingles. When shingles occurs more than once, doctors refer to it as recurrent shingles. Recurrent shingles is more common among people with a compromised immune system.

How long do shingles spots keep appearing?

Skin sensitivity, tingling, itching, and/or pain in the area of the skin before the rash appears. Rash, which typically appears after 1 to 5 days once symptoms begin and initially looks like small, red spots that turn into blisters. Blisters typically scab over in 7 to 10 days and clear up within 2 to 4 weeks.