Online Shingles Treatment in Florida for Adults (Herpes Zoster)
MD-only shingles evaluation by secure video visit for adults in Florida, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Shingles (herpes zoster) happens when the varicella-zoster virus reactivates later in life. It often starts with burning, tingling, or sharp pain on one side of the body, followed by a blistering rash in a band-like pattern. When started early, antiviral therapy can shorten the illness and reduce complications.
- $49 flat-fee visit
- MD-only evaluation and prescribing
- Early antiviral treatment when appropriate
- Clear screening for eye and neurologic red flags
- Adults only, you must be in Florida at the time of the visit
Last reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD on 2025-12-24.
Clinician note: TeleDirectMD is MD-only and guideline-based. We treat typical shingles in stable adults by video when appropriate. If the rash involves the eye or face, or if you have neurologic symptoms, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended.
Urgent Red Flags
- Rash on the face or near the eye
- Eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, or vision changes
- Severe headache, confusion, weakness, or trouble walking
- Widespread rash or immunocompromised state
Shingles near the eye can threaten vision and requires urgent in-person care.
Quick Answers
- Shingles usually causes one-sided pain followed by a blistering rash in a band-like pattern
- Antivirals work best when started within 72 hours of rash onset
- Telehealth is appropriate for stable adults without eye or neurologic involvement
- Face or eye shingles needs urgent in-person evaluation
- You must be physically located in Florida at the time of the visit
What Is Shingles (Herpes Zoster)?
Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus that stays dormant in nerve tissue after chickenpox. It commonly affects older adults and people with weakened immune systems, but it can occur at any adult age. Symptoms typically include localized nerve pain followed by a vesicular rash in one dermatome.
TeleDirectMD evaluates symptom timing, rash distribution, severity, and risk factors. When appropriate, we prescribe antiviral therapy and provide pain management guidance and return precautions.
Shingles Symptoms and Red Flags
Telehealth is best for typical shingles presentations without vision risk or severe systemic symptoms.
| Finding | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-sided burning pain followed by clustered blisters | Typical shingles pattern | Often yes | Widespread rash across multiple body areas |
| Rash limited to a single band-like area | Dermatomal herpes zoster | Often yes | Rash on the face, nose, eyelids, or near the eye |
| Symptoms started within the last 72 hours | Best window for antivirals | Often yes | Eye pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity |
| Localized pain without fever | Typical course | Often yes | Severe headache, confusion, weakness, or trouble walking |
| Immunocompetent adult with localized rash | Lower complication risk | Often yes | Immunocompromised state with shingles or rapidly worsening symptoms |
| Rash with intense pain after blisters crust | Possible postherpetic neuralgia risk | Often yes for guidance | Concern for bacterial superinfection with rapidly spreading redness, pus, or fever |
What Else Can Look Like Shingles?
- HSV (herpes simplex): recurrent localized blisters, often lip or genital region.
- Contact dermatitis: itchy rash after exposure, usually not dermatomal and often bilateral.
- Cellulitis: spreading redness and warmth without grouped vesicles.
- Insect bites: clustered lesions, typically itch more than burn and are not dermatomal.
- Rash with pain from other causes: requires in-person evaluation if atypical or worsening.
When a Florida Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ located in Florida at the time of the visit
- Typical one-sided rash and pain pattern
- No rash near the eye or on the nose
- No vision changes, eye pain, or severe headache
- No severe systemic illness or rapidly spreading skin infection
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Rash on the face, nose, eyelids, or near the eye
- Eye pain, redness, vision changes, or light sensitivity
- Confusion, weakness, severe headache, or trouble walking
- Widespread rash or immunocompromised state
- High fever or rapidly spreading redness suggesting bacterial infection
Shingles Treatment Options
TeleDirectMD focuses on early antiviral therapy when appropriate and symptom relief guidance. Antivirals are most helpful when started early, ideally within 72 hours of rash onset, and may still be considered later in selected situations based on severity and risk.
Supportive Care
- Keep the rash clean and dry
- Cool compresses for comfort
- Loose clothing to reduce friction
- Avoid scratching and cover weeping lesions
- Hand hygiene to reduce spread to vulnerable contacts
Medication Table
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valacyclovir | 1000 mg by mouth TID | 7 days | First-line antiviral for typical shingles when appropriate |
| Acyclovir | 800 mg by mouth five times daily | 7 days | Alternative antiviral option when appropriate |
| Acetaminophen | 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain or fever relief when appropriate |
| Ibuprofen | 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain relief when appropriate for you |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. Eye involvement, neurologic symptoms, widespread rash, or immunocompromised status may require urgent in-person evaluation.
Home Care and Return to Work
Shingles is not spread the same way as a cold, but the virus in open blisters can cause chickenpox in someone who has never had chickenpox or the vaccine. Covering the rash and avoiding direct contact reduces risk. Many adults can work if lesions are covered and they feel well enough.
- Avoid direct contact with pregnant people, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals until lesions crust over
- Keep rash covered when possible
- Seek urgent care if the rash approaches the eye or you develop vision changes
- If pain persists after the rash heals, you may need follow-up for postherpetic neuralgia management
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Shingles Visit in Florida
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual care by secure video. Visits are $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance required. If your presentation is appropriate for telehealth, we can send an electronic prescription to your preferred pharmacy in Florida.
Adults only. You must be physically located in Florida at the time of your visit.
Florida Shingles Telehealth FAQ
Can TeleDirectMD treat shingles online in Florida?
Yes, for selected stable adults located in Florida with a typical shingles pattern and no red flags for eye or neurologic involvement.
How soon should antivirals be started for shingles?
Antivirals work best when started within 72 hours of rash onset. They may still be considered later in selected cases depending on severity and risk.
How do I know if shingles is near my eye?
A rash on the forehead, eyelids, nose, or around the eye can involve the eye. Eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, or vision changes require urgent in-person evaluation.
Is shingles contagious?
Shingles can spread the virus from open blisters to someone who has never had chickenpox or the vaccine, causing chickenpox. Covering the rash and avoiding direct contact reduces risk.
Can I go to work with shingles?
Many adults can work if they feel well enough and the rash is covered. Avoid close contact with high-risk individuals until lesions crust over.
What pain treatments do you recommend?
Many patients use acetaminophen or ibuprofen when appropriate. We also provide guidance on skin care and when follow-up is needed for persistent nerve pain after the rash resolves.
What is postherpetic neuralgia?
Postherpetic neuralgia is nerve pain that persists after the rash heals. Risk increases with age and severe initial pain. If pain persists, follow-up options can be discussed.
Do you prescribe controlled substances for shingles pain?
No. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
When should I seek urgent in-person care?
Seek urgent care for facial or eye involvement, vision changes, severe headache, confusion, weakness, widespread rash, immunocompromised status, or rapidly spreading redness with fever.
Is TeleDirectMD available across Florida?
Yes. As long as you are physically located in Florida at the time of the video visit, you can be evaluated.
Can the shingles vaccine help?
Vaccination reduces shingles risk and complications. If you have questions about vaccination timing after an episode, we can discuss general guidance and recommend follow-up with your primary care clinician.