Herpes zoster, or shingles, in darker-skinned individuals presents as a painful, blistering rash, typically along a single dermatome, and can be harder to distinguish in the early stages due to the color of the skin. The condition is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, often in those with weakened immune systems, and can lead to long-lasting nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia) if untreated. Treatment includes antiviral medications like acyclovir or valacyclovir to reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak, along with pain management, which may involve analgesics or nerve-blocking medications.