Symptoms of herpes zoster or shingles are usually typical and in most cases along with history, help in diagnosis of the disease. The most important aspect of symptoms of shingles is the distribution of the skin lesions to a small section of one side of the body. The common symptoms of Herpes Zoster in TCM include:
1. Syndrome of Dampness and Heat in Liver Meridian
Main Symptoms: Skin rash in fresh red color, mostly on the unilateral side of the chest and hypochondriac region, tense walls in blisters, burning and pricking pain, accompanied by fever, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, red eyes, brown urine, reddened tongue, yellowish and greasy coating, wiry, slippery and rapid pulse.

2. Syndrome of Accumulation of Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency
Main Symptoms: Slightly pale color in skin rash (mostly on the chest, abdomen and lower limb), large number of blisters, loose walls in blisters, no thirst, poorappetite, abdominal distension, frequent loose stool, pale tongue, whitish or whitish and greasy coating, deep and slow or soft and slippery pulse.

3. Oi-Stagnation and Blood-Stasis Syndrome
Main Symptoms: Continuous pain in the local area after blisters subside, dark purple tongue, whitish coating, wiry and thready pulse.