Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Older age, female gender, and immunosuppression are the major risk factors for virus reactivation.

Usually the rash is unilateral and is restricted to a single dermatome or to a part of it.

Bilateral rash is rare and multidermatomal HZ is more frequent in cervical dermatomes.

This is a case of a bilateral lumbar multidermatomal HZ in an elderly woman with chronic renal failure.