Online Shingles Treatment in Texas for Adults (Herpes Zoster)
MD-only shingles evaluation by secure video visit for adults in Texas, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Shingles is a reactivation of varicella-zoster virus that causes a painful, blistering rash in a single-sided band or patch. Antiviral treatment works best when started early. TeleDirectMD can help adults in Texas evaluate a suspected shingles rash and start appropriate therapy when it is safe and timely, with careful screening for eye involvement and other red flags.
- $49 flat-fee visit
- MD-only evaluation and prescribing
- Antiviral treatment when timely and appropriate
- Clear screening for eye involvement and severe red flags
- Adults only, you must be in Texas at the time of the visit
Last reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD on 12/24/25.
Clinician note: Shingles near the eye can threaten vision and needs urgent in-person evaluation. If the rash is on the face, forehead, eyelid, or tip of the nose, seek urgent care promptly.
Typical Shingles Clues
- Burning or tingling pain before rash
- Blistering rash in a one-sided band
- Rash does not cross midline
- Pain can be significant
Eye-area shingles is urgent. Do not rely on telehealth if the rash involves the face or eye.
Quick Answers
- Shingles causes a painful blistering rash on one side of the body
- Antivirals work best when started within 72 hours of rash onset
- Pain control and skin care reduce discomfort and complications
- Face or eye involvement requires urgent in-person evaluation
- You must be physically located in Texas at the time of the visit
What Is Shingles (Herpes Zoster)?
Shingles is caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. It typically presents as a painful, blistering rash in a dermatomal distribution on one side of the body. Pain can precede the rash by 1 day to 3 days.
Antiviral treatment can reduce severity and duration, especially when started early. TeleDirectMD evaluates timing, rash location, immune status, and red flags before prescribing.
Shingles Symptoms and Red Flags
Telehealth works best for typical shingles without eye involvement. This table highlights when video care is appropriate and when urgent in-person evaluation may be safer.
| Finding | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-sided painful rash with blisters in a band | Typical shingles | Often yes | Rash on face, eyelid, forehead, or tip of nose |
| Burning or tingling pain before rash | Prodrome | Often yes | Eye pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity |
| Rash limited to one area | Localized shingles | Often yes | Widespread rash across multiple body areas |
| Mild fever with rash | Viral illness overlap | Often yes | Severe illness, confusion, or inability to hydrate |
| Significant pain | Inflammation and nerve irritation | Often yes | Severe uncontrolled pain or immune suppression concerns |
What Else Can Look Like Shingles?
- HSV: recurrent clustered lesions, often oral or genital.
- Contact dermatitis: itchy rash after new product or plant exposure.
- Cellulitis: spreading warmth and tenderness without grouped blisters.
- Insect bites: itchy clustered bumps, often bilateral.
- Impetigo: honey-colored crusting, usually less dermatomal pain.
When a Texas Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ located in Texas at the time of the visit
- Localized one-sided rash without eye involvement
- Rash started within 72 hours or still evolving
- No severe illness or widespread rash
- Able to take oral medication and hydrate
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Rash on face, eyelid, forehead, or tip of nose
- Eye pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity
- Widespread rash or immune suppression concerns
- Severe illness, confusion, or dehydration
- Signs of skin infection with pus or rapidly spreading redness
Shingles Treatment Options
Early antiviral therapy can reduce severity and shorten the course of shingles, especially when started within 72 hours of rash onset. Supportive care and pain control reduce discomfort. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
Supportive Care
- Keep rash clean and dry
- Cool compresses and calamine for comfort
- Avoid scratching to reduce secondary infection risk
- Cover lesions to reduce transmission risk
Medication Table
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valacyclovir | 1000 mg by mouth TID | 7 days | First-line antiviral when started early and appropriate |
| Acyclovir | 800 mg by mouth five times daily | 7 days | Alternative antiviral when appropriate |
| Acetaminophen | 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain support |
| Ibuprofen | 400 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain and inflammation support when appropriate |
| Topical lidocaine | Apply to intact skin as directed | As needed | Localized pain relief on intact skin, avoid open blisters |
If shingles involves the eye area, urgent in-person evaluation is required. If you develop fever, pus, or rapidly spreading redness, you may have a secondary skin infection and should be seen in person.
Home Care and What to Expect
Most shingles rashes crust over within 7 days to 10 days and heal over 2 weeks to 4 weeks. Pain can persist longer in some cases. Avoid close contact with pregnant people, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals until lesions are fully crusted.
- Keep lesions covered when around others
- Wash hands after touching the rash
- Avoid sharing towels or bedding during the contagious period
- Follow up if pain is severe or rash is worsening
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Shingles Visit in Texas
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual care by secure video. Visits are $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance required. If appropriate, antiviral therapy can be prescribed and sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy in Texas.
Adults only. You must be physically located in Texas at the time of your visit.
Texas Shingles Telehealth FAQ
Can TeleDirectMD treat shingles online in Texas?
Yes. TeleDirectMD provides MD-only video visits for adults in Texas and can diagnose typical shingles and prescribe antivirals when appropriate, especially when started early.
When do antivirals work best for shingles?
Antivirals work best when started within 72 hours of rash onset, or when new lesions are still appearing.
How do I know if shingles is affecting my eye?
Rash on the forehead, eyelid, or tip of the nose, eye pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity can indicate eye involvement and requires urgent in-person evaluation.
Is shingles contagious?
Shingles can spread varicella-zoster virus to someone who has never had chickenpox or the vaccine through direct contact with open lesions. Cover lesions and avoid high-risk contacts until crusted.
What helps shingles pain?
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help, and some people benefit from topical lidocaine on intact skin. Severe pain or uncontrolled symptoms may require in-person evaluation.
Do you prescribe controlled pain medication for shingles?
No. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
Can shingles come back?
Yes, recurrence is possible, especially with immune suppression. Vaccination reduces the risk of future episodes in eligible adults.
When should I seek urgent care?
Seek urgent care for face or eye involvement, vision symptoms, widespread rash, severe illness, confusion, or signs of skin infection such as pus or rapidly spreading redness.
Can you provide a work note?
TeleDirectMD can usually provide a brief work no