How long does shingles last after it scabs?

Years: Varicella virus lives in nerve roots for years. Shingles occurs in people who have had chicken pox even in childhood.

For Life: The virus responsible for chicken pox lives in the nerves and lead to more than episode of shingles later in life. Once the sores scab over the symptoms tend to diminish within a few days. The more aggressively the the symptoms are treated the less likely long term problems are to occur. If you've not been seen by your pcp i would suggest doing so.