Shingles developing within recent surgical scars

Occurrence of varicella and recurrence of herpes simplex on traumatized sites of the skin are a well-described events. By contrast, herpes tester occurring specifically at the site of previously injured skin has not yet been reported. Two patients are presented who developed shingles limited to skin on and around recent surgical scars. Varicella tester virus was identified using immunohistochemistry on skin biopsy specimens and Tzanck smears. We suspect that the occurrence of herpes tester involving surgical scars is usually misdiagnosed and therefore unrecognized. Whether shingles adjacent to scars represents a coincidental event or is specifically triggered by local injury is unknown.