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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
07:40
Visualizing Scar Development Using SCAD Assay - An Ex-situ Skin Scarring Assay
Published on: April 28, 2022
Shingles developing within recent surgical scars
1Department of Dermatopatholgy, University Medical Center of Liège, Belgium.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|July 30, 1999
Summary
Shingles (herpes zoster) can occur on surgical scars, a phenomenon previously unreported. Researchers identified the varicella zoster virus in patients, suggesting local injury may trigger this localized shingles outbreak.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Virology
Background:
- Varicella (chickenpox) and recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are known to occur at sites of skin trauma.
- Herpes zoster (shingles) typically presents with a dermatomal distribution but has not been previously reported to specifically affect injured skin sites.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with herpes zoster (shingles) exclusively affecting the skin on and around recent surgical scars.
- Varicella zoster virus (VZV) was confirmed via immunohistochemistry on skin biopsy and Tzanck smear specimens from the affected scar sites.
Findings:
- This case series suggests that herpes zoster can manifest specifically at the site of prior skin injury, such as surgical scars.
- The localized occurrence of shingles on surgical scars may be underdiagnosed due to misdiagnosis or lack of recognition.
Implications:
- Further research is needed to determine if local skin injury, like surgical scarring, specifically triggers herpes zoster or if these occurrences are coincidental.
- Recognizing shingles in surgical scars could improve diagnosis and patient management for localized VZV reactivation.
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