Can Shingles Cross the Midline?

A typical shingles eruption never crosses the midline of the body and occurs only on one side: right or left. Extremely rare cases of shingles may become diffuse and spread to the entire body in patients with very compromised immune systems.

What happens if shingles cross the midline?

If the rash crosses the midline of the body, it is not shingles. Most commonly the rash is on the chest and/or back. However, it can occur on other body parts. "If you develop shingles on your face, especially near your eye, you should seek immediate medical care as this type may result in loss of vision," Babino said.

Why does shingles not cross the midline?

The body is split into two halves. This is because each nerve runs from one side of the spine in the back to the middle of the front of the body and does not cross this midline. This is important when considering the rash of shingles.