Kayap (shingles) is the chickenpox virus waking up again, often decades after you had chickenpox. It starts with burning or tingling pain on one side of the body, and a few days later a band of blisters appears on that same side. See a doctor within 3 days of the rash appearing: antiviral medicine works best when started early. You cannot catch kayap from another person, but someone who has never had chickenpox can catch chickenpox from the fluid in the blisters.
What causes kayap?
After you have chickenpox (cacar air), the virus never fully leaves. It sleeps in the nerves near your spine. Years later, often when your immunity dips, it can wake up and travel along one nerve to the skin. That is why the rash appears as a strip on one side of the body.
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get kayap. It is more common:
- after the age of 50, and more so after 70
- in people with weak immunity, for example during cancer treatment, on long-term steroids, or with HIV
- after a serious illness
The signs, day by day
- Before the rash (1 to 5 days): burning, tingling, itching or stabbing pain in one area of skin, on one side. Some people feel unwell, with a headache or mild fever. The pain is often mistaken for a pulled muscle, a heart problem or a kidney problem, depending on where it is.
- The rash: red patches appear in the painful area, then turn into small blisters filled with fluid. They form a band or strip, most often around one side of the chest or waist, or on one side of the face.
- Crusting (7 to 10 days): the blisters dry and scab over.
- Healing (2 to 4 weeks): the scabs fall off. Some people are left with marks or patches of lighter or darker skin.
"If kayap closes the circle, you die." Is it true?
Many families in Malaysia have heard that if kayap wraps all the way round the body, it can kill. It is not true. Kayap follows a single nerve, and each nerve covers only one side of the body, so the rash stops at the middle of your back and the middle of your chest. It cannot close a circle.
There is a real point hidden in the story. A rash on both sides, or spread over the whole body, is rare, and it does need a doctor quickly, because it points to a weak immune system.
Is kayap contagious?
Kayap does not pass from person to person as kayap. The fluid inside the blisters carries the virus, though, and someone who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine can catch chickenpox from it.
- Keep the rash covered with loose clothing or a light non-stick dressing.
- Do not share towels, and wash your hands after touching the rash.
- Until every blister has crusted over, stay away from pregnant women who have not had chickenpox, newborn babies, and anyone with weak immunity.
- If the rash is covered and you feel well enough, you can usually work.
Why the first 3 days matter
Antiviral tablets (such as acyclovir or valacyclovir) stop the virus from multiplying. They work best when started within 3 days of the rash appearing. Started early, they help the rash heal faster and ease the pain. The doctor also gives medicine for the pain, which can be strong.
The most common complication is nerve pain that lingers for months after the rash heals, called postherpetic neuralgia. It is more likely after the age of 60. Early treatment, and good pain control from the start, helps.
See a doctor the same day if:
- the rash is on your forehead, near your eye, or on the tip of your nose (it can damage the eye)
- you have a rash on or in the ear, or one side of your face feels weak or droops
- you have weak immunity, or you are pregnant
- the rash is on both sides of the body, or spreading widely
- you have a high fever, a severe headache or confusion
Looking after kayap at home
- Keep the rash clean and dry. You can shower: use plain water, and pat dry gently.
- Wear loose cotton clothes.
- Calamine lotion and a cool, damp cloth ease the itch.
- Do not burst the blisters, and do not cover them with tight plasters.
- Avoid putting pastes, toothpaste, herbs or traditional mixtures on open blisters. Broken skin infects easily, and an infection makes scarring worse.
Kayap and cacar air (chickenpox): the difference
| Cacar air (chickenpox) | Kayap (shingles) | |
|---|---|---|
| When | First time you meet the virus | The same virus waking up years later |
| Who | Mostly children | Mostly adults over 50 |
| Rash | Itchy spots all over the body | Painful band on one side |
| Spread | Very contagious through the air and blisters | Only through blister fluid, and only as chickenpox |
Painful rash on one side? Come in early.
Walk in any hour, even at night, at our clinic on Jalan Penampang, Kota Kinabalu. The doctor can usually tell kayap by looking, and start treatment the same visit.
WhatsApp usor call 088-239 393Questions people ask
How long does kayap last?
The blisters crust in 7 to 10 days, and the skin heals in 2 to 4 weeks. Nerve pain can last longer, especially in older adults.
Can kayap come back?
Yes, though most people get it only once. It is more likely to come back in people with weak immunity.
Can I shower when I have kayap?
Yes. Shower with plain water, avoid scrubbing the rash, and pat the skin dry gently.
Can I catch kayap from someone who has it?
No. But if you have never had chickenpox, you can catch chickenpox from the fluid in the blisters.
A general practitioner clinic for the whole family, from babies to grandparents. A doctor and a nurse are on duty every hour of every day, and you can walk in without an appointment. Meet the team
Sources
This article is general health information and does not replace a visit to the doctor. If you are worried about yourself or your child, see a doctor.
