This is a picture of herpes zoster (shingles) on the hand and
fingers. Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes
chickenpox. Outbreaks of shingles often follow the distribution of
nerves in the skin. This distribution pattern is called a dermatome
(see the "dermatomes" picture).
Review Date: 05/25/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of
Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of
Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of
Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General
Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director,
A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
