I had shingles over a year ago covering my right hand, the palm, the front and back as well as my fingers on down into my wrist area.. It is so painful while applying medicines. It take some weeks to clear up takes some months to get over it. Even now after several months I can use my hand a certain way to sew, pick up a glass or cup or wash dishes and the pain is almost more than I can bear. My dau had it on her neck, shoulder and part of her back when she was 12. My uncle suffered with it around his waist for years. The worst I ever saw and one I believe the most painful was a dear friend who suffered with it in the head and ear, the scalp covering about half his head, on his face and down into his neck. He looked so grosteque while the pain should have been ample to make him miserable.