My mother has had shingles for two weeks now. They are clearing up and she was starting to feel better. She is planning a trip to Jamaica in a week and a half and thinks she needs a base tan. She went to a tanning bed a few times. She complains of a burning sensation where the healing rash is and yesterday felt terrible all day. I told her tanning and sun can bring the shingles back out. She said she covers up the rash with a tshirt when she tans. I told her uv rays can go through clothes. Can you please give us your thoughts. I told her she may not even be able to sit in the heat and sun in Jamaica. I just want her to be informed. By the way, she also has had malignant melanoma years ago. She thinks it's safer to get a base tan before she goes on vacations...otherwise she would burn without a base tan. I told her that makes no sense...she should not be in the sun at all. Either a booth or natural sun. They are both bad.