Demi Moore's health struggle as health expert warns of 'painful' first symptoms to look out for

Demi Moore
-Credit: (Image: GETTY)


Demi Moore made a surprising turn into gore-filled horror with her new movie The Substance, which stunned audiences at the Cannes Film Festival before headlining London’s FrightFest. However, the brutal challenges extended beyond the screen for the actress as she revealed to The LA Times that she lost 20 pounds during filming.

Director Coralie Fargeat proudly pushed her cast so far that the 61-year-old ex-wife of Bruce Willis revealed: “To give you an idea of the intensity, my first week that I actually had off…I got shingles.” The cost was seemingly worth the payoff, with the film receiving a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating and being hailed by critics as a “gross body horror masterpiece”.

However, a health expert has urged people to be aware of the signs, symptoms and treatments for shingles as the Hollywood star’s admission highlighted that the chickenpox-akin illness can strike at any age. Duncan Reid, Senior Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U warned that one of the biggest indicators of the illness is an incredible painful skin irritation.

READ MORE:Symptoms of laryngeal cancer as Jamie Theakston diagnosed - including strange noise

READ MORE:Everyone who can get Covid-19 jab in Autumn 2024 - full list as new variant found in UK

He warned: “Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a painful rash on one side of your body, usually on the chest or belly, or sometimes the face. The pain may be a constant, dull or burning sensation and the affected area of skin will usually be tender.”

It’s caused by the same virus as chickenpox, which remains dormant in the body and can be reactivated later in life as shingles. In simple terms, shingles is the second round of chickenpox. A person who has not had chickenpox usually can’t fall ill with shingles but, they can get chickenpox from someone with shingles.

The rash can appear similar to chickenpox as a result, and may even turn into blisters that pop and form scabs through the healing process. Unfortunately, the other symptoms of shingles such as a tingly sensation, headaches, general discomfort and pain in the rash area, can outlast the rash itself.

The expert warned: “While rarely life-threatening, shingles can be dangerous for certain groups, including anyone who is pregnant and not had chickenpox before, patients undergoing chemotherapy, and babies under a month old. If you have shingles, it's important to prevent spreading the virus to others.

“You can spread the virus until your blisters dry and scab over, so don't share towels, clothes, or take part in close-contact activities. If your rash is weeping and can't be covered, stay away from work or school.”

Shingles doesn’t have a cure but there are ways to treat the individual symptoms with the likes of paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine to treat pian and cold compresses to help soothe the discomfort on your skin. Some doctors may prescribe antiviral medication to stop the virus from multiplying and reduce the severity of symptoms.

The pharmacist also advised keeping the rash clean and covered or wearing loose-fitting clothing as well as avoiding antibiotic cream saying it “can slow healing”. He continued: “If you get shingles, it’s best to see your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible as early treatment can lessen the effects and reduce the risk of any complications.

“Shingles is one of the common conditions covered by the new NHS Pharmacy First Service, meaning your pharmacist can now prescribe you treatments without you needing to book a doctor’s appointment. They can also refer you to your GP if necessary.”