The acute phase begins as the involved skin develops clusters of vesicles set on an erythematous base (Fig. 7-17).
Within 3 to 4 days, the vesicles become pustular and ulcerate, with crusts developing after 7 to 10 days. The lesions tend to follow the path of the affected nerve and terminate at the midline (Fig. 7-18).
The exanthem typically resolves within 2 to 3 weeks in otherwise healthy individuals. On healing, scarring with hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation is not unusual.