Shingles care at Urgent Care Center of Westmont in Westmont, IL. Our team, led by board-certified physicians, evaluates painful one-sided rashes early, when treatment tends to work best.
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus waking up years after a person had chickenpox. It usually appears as a stripe of blisters on one side of the body or face. Antiviral medicine works best when started soon after the rash appears, so do not wait. Urgent Care Center of Westmont, also known as Immediate Care Center of Westmont, evaluates and treats shingles in Westmont, IL.
A shingles rash near the eye needs prompt medical care, because it can affect vision.
Key facts
The CDC recommends two doses of shingles vaccine for adults 50 and older, given 2 to 6 months apart.
You should still get the shingles vaccine after having shingles, once the rash has gone away.
In studies, the vaccine was 97 percent effective in adults 50 to 69 and 91 percent effective in adults 70 and older.
Urgent Care Center of Westmont in Westmont, IL sees new one-sided rashes seven days a week, and early care matters because antiviral medicine works better when started soon.
Shingles symptoms
According to the CDC, shingles often starts with pain, itching or tingling in one area several days before any rash. Then:
A painful, itchy rash appears, usually as a single stripe on the left or right side of the body or face
Blisters form and scab over in 7 to 10 days
The rash usually clears in 2 to 4 weeks
Some people also have fever, headache, chills or an upset stomach
Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles. Risk rises with age and with a weakened immune system. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia, nerve pain that can last months or years after the rash heals.
How we evaluate and treat shingles at our Westmont, IL clinic
Shingles is usually diagnosed by its look and pattern. Your provider examines the rash, asks when the pain and rash started, and reviews your health history and medicines.
When appropriate, treatment can include antiviral medicine to help shorten the illness and lower the risk of complications. MedlinePlus notes antivirals work best when started within three days of the rash appearing. Your provider will also talk with you about pain relief and skin care, such as cool compresses and keeping blisters clean and covered.
Once you recover, ask about the shingles vaccine. The CDC recommends two doses for adults 50 and older, and for adults 19 and older with a weakened immune system. See our immunizations page for vaccine services.
Is shingles contagious?
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You cannot catch shingles from someone with shingles. But fluid from the blisters can spread the virus to a person who has never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, and that person may get chickenpox. Until the blisters scab over, keep the rash covered, wash your hands often, and avoid pregnant people who have not had chickenpox, premature or low-birth-weight babies, and people with weak immune systems.
Most major insurance plans are accepted, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Meridian and CountyCare. Plans change, so call (630) 324-6825 to confirm your coverage. See the full list on our cost and insurance page.
Paying on your own? Our self-pay urgent care pricing is flat and upfront, with a general visit from $125. Lab tests may add to the cost; we will tell you before anything is ordered.
Both of our locations are open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The main clinic is at 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, Westmont, IL 60559. Our second location, inside Jewel-Osco, is at 4 E Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559. No appointment is needed. You can also check in online.
Shingles vs. other rashes
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Clues that help tell shingles from common look-alikes
Clue
Shingles
Poison ivy or contact rash
Hives
Where it shows up
A band or stripe on one side of the body or face
Wherever skin touched the trigger, often in streaks
Anywhere; welts move around
First symptom
Pain, burning or tingling days before any rash
Itching
Itching
How it looks
Clusters of blisters that scab over
Red streaks, bumps and blisters
Raised welts that come and go
Can it spread to others?
Blister fluid can give chickenpox to someone who never had it
TimingTell us when the pain started and when the rash first appeared. Timing guides treatment choices.
ExamA clinician looks at the rash pattern and checks the skin around the eye if the rash is on your face.
Treatment planWhen appropriate, antiviral medicine and a plan for pain relief.
Skin careHow to keep blisters clean and covered while they heal.
Vaccine planWhen to get the shingles vaccine once the rash is gone.
Walk in or check in online as soon as you notice a painful one-sided rash.
Home care while the rash heals
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Keep the rash clean and loosely covered with a non-stick dressing.
Use cool, wet compresses to ease burning and itching.
Wear loose, soft cotton clothing over the area.
Take pain medicine as directed, and tell your clinician if pain is not controlled.
Wash your hands often, and do not scratch or pick at scabs.
Rest, eat well and drink plenty of fluids.
Shingles vaccine: what to know
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Recommended for adults 50 and older, and for adults 19 and older with a weakened immune system. There is no upper age limit.
Two doses, 2 to 6 months apart for most adults.
Get it even if you already had shingles, after the rash is gone.
Against long-lasting nerve pain after shingles, it was 91 percent effective in adults 50 and older, per the CDC.
Common side effects include a sore arm, tiredness, muscle aches, headache, chills or mild fever, usually lasting 2 to 3 days. The CDC advises getting the second dose even if the first one caused side effects.
Call (630) 324-6825 to ask about the vaccine, or see immunizations.
As soon as you can after the rash appears. Antivirals work best when started early, ideally within three days.
How long does shingles last?
The blisters usually scab in 7 to 10 days, and the rash clears in 2 to 4 weeks. Nerve pain can last longer for some people.
Can I get shingles more than once?
Yes, it can come back. Vaccination lowers the chance of getting shingles.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in, or check in online for shingles care .
Can I get the shingles vaccine if I already had shingles?
Yes. The CDC says people who have had shingles should still get the vaccine, because it helps prevent future episodes. Wait until the rash has gone away before getting your first dose.
Can I go to work with shingles?
Many people can work if the rash can be fully covered and they feel well enough. Keep it covered until the blisters crust over, wash your hands often, and avoid close contact with pregnant people who have not had chickenpox, newborns and people with weak immune systems. Ask your clinician about your job.
What does shingles look like at first?
Often there is nothing to see at first, just pain, itching or tingling in one area for a few days. Then red patches and small clustered blisters appear in a band on one side of the body or face. Come in as soon as the rash appears.
Is shingles nerve pain permanent?
For most people, no. Some develop postherpetic neuralgia, nerve pain that can last months or, less often, years after the rash heals. The shingles vaccine lowers that risk, and the CDC reports it was 91 percent effective against this nerve pain in adults 50 and older.
“They are always so kind and helpful. In and out quickly but not rushed. Myself and my son go.”
Rebecca R. · February 2025 · Google★★★★★
“Follow up on a previous visit. Quick visit with lots of good info about what's going on and what to expect going forward. Friendly and accommodating staff”
Ken B. · August 2024 · Google★★★★★
“I love this center! My 2nd time coming and both times my daughters were seen very fast. Very clean with very nice staff”
