Shingles: Pharmacy First pathway
Explore the pattern and progression of shingles, rash-onset timing, serious complications and pain and safety-netting resources.
Free educational reference for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. Open the interactive pathway and linked material in CRx Workspace without an account or payment card.
What the Shingles pathway covers
The shingles pathway follows the development and distribution of the rash, together with the history of pain or altered skin sensation. It then considers rash-onset timing, possible serious complications and onward management considerations.
- Pain or altered skin sensation and the progression and distribution of the rash
- Time since rash onset in the assessment
- Serious complications, including neurological symptoms and facial nerve involvement
- Pain management, self-care, safety-netting and vaccination information
Further reading and official resources
External links for further reading and checking current guidance.
- NHS England: Shingles PGDs and service documents
- NICE CKS: Shingles
- NHS: Shingles
- Community Pharmacy England: Pharmacy First service resources
For England’s Pharmacy First service. This independent educational reference does not replace the current official specification, clinical pathway, PGDs or protocol.
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