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Shingles can be a very painful experience that affects around one in four adults in their lifetime. The infection, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which also causes chickenpox. The virus is extremely common, with more than 90 per cent of the world’s population having it. It is usually contracted when people get chickenpox as children, but the virus does not go away, instead, it will lay dormant in the body’s nervous system for years. For about a third of people who get the virus, it will reactivate some years later and cause shingles. Here is everything you need to know about the symptoms of shingles and how to treat it: What are the symptoms? A person who gets shingles will experience a painful rash that can occur anywhere on the body. Early signs of shingles could be a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin, a headache or feeling generally unwell. According to the NHS, the rash usually looks like “a single stripe of blisters that wraps around the left side or right side of your torso”. They appear as blotches on the skin that become itchy blisters, which can break and ooze fluid. The rash can be red, but this can be harder to see on brown or black skin. The rash can also appear on your face, eyes and genitals. If it appears around your eyes, it can affect your sight or hearing and make it hard to move one side of your face. According to the Mayo Clinic, if left untreated, the infection can lead to permanent eye damage. After a few days, the blisters will dry out and become scabs. If a rash appears on both the left and right side of the body, it is unlikely to be shingles. How is it treated? Shingles can take up to four weeks to heal, but can have more severe consequences in older people above the age of 50. If the symptoms are not serious, patients can take paracetamol to ease the pain and use a cool compress on the rash several times a day to soothe it. It is also recommended that you keep the area with the rash clean and dry to reduce the risk of infection and wear loose-fitting clothing. But there are some situations in which it is recommended you contact your GP or call 111. Due to the heightened risk in older people, you should seek help if you are aged 50 or older. People with a weakened immune system should also contact the health service, as well as those who have a rash that is widespread and painful, or has appeared near an eye. Are shingles contagious? Shingles are not contagious and you cannot spread them. However, if you come into contact with someone who has not had chickenpox and has not been vaccinated against chickenpox, they could catch chickenpox from you. The NHS recommends you avoid being around pregnant people who have not had chickenpox before, people with a weakened immune system, and babies that are less than a month old. Is there a vaccine against shingles? Yes, but it is only available on the NHS to people in their 70s. Shingles can be fatal for around one in 1,000 over-70s who develop it. The vaccine injection only needs to be given once. However, some people who cannot have the routine vaccine for health reasons will need two doses. Getting the vaccine will reduce your risk of getting shingles, and if you do get it, your symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter. If you already had shingles, you can still get the vaccine to protect yourself against developing it again. You may have to wait up to one year after you have recovered from the illness before you can get the vaccine. Read More When do the clocks go back in the UK this year? Hibernation mode: 5 small self-care adjustments to make before the clocks change Want to be a useful man? Arnold Schwarzenegger is here to tell you how When do the clocks go back in the UK this year? Hibernation mode: 5 small self-care adjustments to make before the clocks change Want to be a useful man? Arnold Schwarzenegger is here to tell you how

Angelica Jolie has announced her foray into the fashion world with the launch of her new business venture called Atelier Jolie. Branded as a “creative collective for self-expression”, the 47-year-old Girl, Interrupted actor is approaching the fashion industry with a focus on the consumer. Under the rather vague model, the consumer will be invited to play the role of the designer and collaborate with tailors, pattern makers and artisans to create unique fashion statements. “Why simply buy the design of another person, when you can create yourself?” Jolie wrote on her personal Instagram page, announcing the launch of the new account @atelierjolieofficial. “We can all collect, appreciate and be influenced by the designs of others. But the highest form of self-expression — and I believe the most fun — is to create for ourselves,” she wrote in the manifesto for the new venture. The Mr & Mrs Smith actor said she wants to help “democratise the fashion industry” by allowing customers to have access to a collective of emerging designers. She added that Atelier Jolie will only use “quality vintage” and “deadstock” – leftover – material. Jolie also revealed the brand’s logo designed by Peter Miles, an art director who has collaborated with Celine, Gabriela Hearst and Repossi. The logo shows white text reading the brand name, printed over a brown rustic fabric. The mission statement continued: “You will be able to repair or upcycle a piece from your closet you wish to revive, perfecting fit, breathing new life into what could have been thrown away, and creating quality heirloom garments with personal meaning.” Jolie provided little clarity on the specifics of the business’s operation, or even launch date, asking fans to “bear with me”. “We hope to create a community of creativity and inspiration, regardless of socio-economic background,” she wrote. Jolie also alluded to her long-term interest in fashion. “Fashion is an art I’ve had the opportunity to play with over the years. I’ve designed clothes, and learned about shapes with many of the best tailors,” she continued. “Designers often sketch or approve designs, but it is the tailors who make the difference and who I truly love creating with. And yet, these makers rarely receive the credit and respect they deserve. This isn’t the first time Jolie has started a business venture. The Maleficent actor founded a French winery and began selling her own rosé, Chateau Miraval, with her then-husband Brad Pitt. In 2021, however, Jolie sold her portion of the business. Read More Everything we know about ‘near catastrophic’ Harry and Meghan paparazzi chase in New York Fans aghast after Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori wears cross-shaped body tape Harry and Meghan – latest: Paparazzi blame car chase on couple’s ‘reckless’ driver Angelina Jolie shares tribute to late mum and urges women with family cancer history to get checked Fans aghast after Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori wears cross-shaped body tape 5 of this summer’s hottest swimwear trends

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 23, 2023--

A woman who went from a size 18 to a size six has shared some of the surprising things “no one tells you” about losing weight. Meg Stier, an actor and motivational speaker living in New York City who goes by the username @megmackenzies on TikTok, revealed some of the things she wishes she’d known “before [she] lost a bunch of weight,” such as that she would be cold “literally all the time,” in a video posted to the platform on Sunday. In the candid clip, Stier began: “[These are] things no one tells you when you go from a size 18 to a size six. And to be clear, there was nothing wrong with me when I was a size 18, and there’s nothing wrong with me at a size six.” Stier then reflected on the changes, many of which were negative, that she’s experienced as a result of her weight loss, with the TikToker revealing that, in addition to constantly being cold, she’s realised that “losing weight didn’t solve all of [her] problems,” there are days where she liked her body more when she was “bigger,” and that there’s a “lot of skin”. “I’m literally cold all the time. I’m just cold, always,” Stier said, before telling viewers: “Some days, I liked my body a lot more when I was bigger.” According to Stier, she’s also found that “people treat you differently” when you lose weight, and “skinny privilege is a thing”. “People started to respect me a lot more when I lost weight, which is just disgusting,” she continued, before moving on to some of the physical changes. “There’s a lot of skin. There’s a lot of skin,” she said. @megmackenzies It’s a learning curve #nyc #bodypositivity #weightloss #bodyacceptance #broadway #lifestyle #performer ♬ original sound - Meg Mackenzies Stier said she’s also found that her weight loss has become “the main topic of conversation” everywhere she goes. “Instead of my successful career, my education, or anything else about me,” she said. The TikToker concluded the video with a final surprising change to her body, with Stier expressing her surprise to find that her feet got “smaller” after losing weight. “My feet got smaller. I’m almost an entire shoe size smaller than I was,” she said, before adding: “Make it make sense.” In the caption of the TikTok, which has since been viewed more than 2.8m times, Stier acknowledged that her weight loss has been a “learning curve”. The video has resonated with viewers, with many praising Stier for talking candidly about the topic, while others shared their own similar experiences with weight loss. “Size 18 to two here. You forgot jewellery, rings and watches had to be resized. But yes to everything else!!” one person wrote, while another said: “Everyone thinks it’s so weird when I say my feet shrunk when I lost weight!! Always cold here too!” “I have literally experienced ALL of this! I went from a 22 to a two. So. Much. Skin.” someone else wrote. Many viewers also revealed they can relate to Stier’s experience with “skinny privilege,” with one person writing: “Girl same. I went from a size 20 to a size four. I RELATE. The skinny privilege blew my mind.” Another person wrote: “It is fascinating how I was ignored in stores when I was heavy but greeted enthusiastically when thin.” In a follow-up video, Stier opened up more about the concept of “skinny privilege,” with the TikToker sharing examples of the ways she is treated now as a size six versus when she was a size 18. @megmackenzies Anyone else experince these things? #bodyacceptance #nyc #bodypositivity #performer #lifestyle #weightloss ♬ original sound - Meg Mackenzies After clarifying that the video was not an “attack on skinny people,” Stier said that “skinny privilege” has meant that “people look me in the eye when they talk to me,” and that she can buy clothes in her size at any store. According to Stier, she’s also noticed a change in how people react when she speaks. “When I speak, people tend to listen more,” she said, before adding: “Well, I’m a woman, so men still talk over me, but, in general, people listen to me more than when I was larger.” Stier also revealed that she began to experience success in her career “the moment [she] lost weight,” despite not becoming “more talented, smarter or better at [her] job”. “I just looked different,” she said. The TikToker said she is no longer “judged” by what food she orders in a restaurant, or when she eats in public, and can go to the gym without others giving her a “‘good for her, she’s trying’ face”. “People considered me unmotivated, unhealthy and generally just lazy because I was bigger,” Stier said, before adding: “Those are three words that no one would ever use to describe me now and my lifestyle really hasn’t changed that much.” In the video, Stier then acknowledged that there is a “serious bias against fat people” that is “hard to fully grasp” unless you’ve “lived on both sides of the spectrum”. “Skinny privilege is a thing and even I find myself taking advantage of it. We need to change the way we view people because fat doesn’t mean bad and skinny doesn’t mean good,” she said. “People are just people. Their actions and their intentions are what make them good or bad, not the way they look.” Speaking to The Independent about her decision to make the initial TikTok, and whether she expected the viral response, Stier revealed that she has created the video “so many times over the last few months but never posted it because [she] didn’t want to be judged”. However, Stier was ultimately encouraged to share the video after seeing the number of people on TikTok “struggling with body acceptance and weight loss”. “After seeing so many people on TikTok struggling with body acceptance and weight loss I figured it would be worth sharing!” she explained. In regards to the viral reaction to the video, Stier said she was “most shocked” by the number of people the TikTok resonated with. “What I am most shocked about is how many people are saying ‘YES! ME TOO!’ It’s a conversation that has been needed for a long time and I’m grateful the online community has been so positive in letting me join that conversation,” she said. As for what she hopes viewers take away from the video, Stier said she wants to impart a “sense of community and honesty”. “It’s SCARY to talk about your own body on the internet. We spend so much time being told not to post things that don’t show us in a positive way (Photoshop, bad angles, no makeup etc.) But I want to encourage people to share the good and the uncomfortable,” she said. “Making these conversations more normal is how we stop the negativity that is constantly being thrown at people for the way they look or the number on the scale.” Read More Amy Schumer says she stopped taking Ozempic because of side-effects I tried anti-bloating pills for two weeks, and now I know the gassy truth Influencer calls out advertisements for weight-loss drugs in New York City subway stations: ‘Dystopian’ Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

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Jonah Hill, the Superbad actor and filmmaker, has welcomed his first baby with his girlfriend Olivia Millar. Hill, 39, was absent from his sister Beanie Feldstein’s wedding on 20 May and he did not appear in any photos or anywhere throughout Feldstein’s Vogue profile, raising speculation that the baby’s arrival may be imminent. The 21 Jump Street actor’s girlfriend was first seen with a baby bump in late March, in photos published by The Daily Mail. Hill’s representatives have now confirmed to the American publication People that Millar gave birth to a child in May but did not announce the baby’s name. Millar is the co-owner of an online vintage shop called Chasseresse, a business she owns with her sister. She was first spotted with Hill in August 2022 and the pair have been romantically linked ever since, keeping their relationship out of the public eye. Hill was previously engaged to photographer Gianna Santos before splitting in October 2020. Hill was then linked to surfer Sarah Brady and shut down claims that the two were engaged in February 2022. The Don’t Look Up actor, who has been more candid about his personal life in recent years – mainly his mental health – revealed in an open letter to fans that he has long dealt with anxiety and panic attacks. His Netflix documentary Stutz, a conversation between Hill and his longtime therapist Phil Stutz, was made to give other people the tools he learned through therapy. Hill decided not to promote the film but instead wrote a letter to his fans, which read: “The whole purpose of making this film is to give therapy and the tools I’ve learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film. “Through this journey of self-discovery within the film, I have come to the understanding that I have spent nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks, which are exacerbated by media appearances and public-facing events.” Read More Triathlete proudly shares ‘beautiful’ racing photo where she bled through swimsuit while on her period Prince William overheard telling Kate to ‘chop chop’ at Jordan royal wedding A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis

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Amid all the talk about AI replacing creative workers in the future, there's perhaps not

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The Roald Dahl Museum in England, founded by the widow of the children's author, has acknowledged his racism was "undeniable and indelible."