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Suggest Treatment For Itchy And Spreading Shingles Infection
Question: I have Shingles on my neck but also developed a few bumps on my arm that itch terribly. I have made them bleed from scratching. Then I developed these 3 long rashes that look like long scratches on my hip on the opposite side of my body. They itch really badly too and have since developed what look like a Shingles rash below the scratches. Would all these rashes be part of the Shingles? The long scratch looking rashes don't look like any shingles photos I have found. Also, I have no pain at all with the Shingles and only a few very tiny blisters and the rash itches. The doctor said it was Shingles and I believe him but I find the whole thing strange.
Brief Answer:
You're right...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
it is strange, indeed. Shingles is not supposed to spread in different parts of the body unless the patient is immunodeficient. Rare exceptions may occur but this is the rule.
Let me comment on the lesions.
The picture of your neck is not clear enough but the location is compatible with shingles. The picture of your arm does not look like shingles (too limited lesions) but I can't exclude it. The third picture (particularly the red lines) do not look like shingles either, although the picture is not clear. Perhaps the red lines appeared because of the scratching?
The typical shingles rash appears a few days after the first symptoms and evolves from small blisters with clear fluid to blisters with cloudy fluid. After the blisters disappear crusts develop in the area and then it heals completely. If you've had the typical blisters then the diagnosis is very likely. I'm sure your doctor wouldn't have missed that!
So if your doctor is very certain that you do have shingles then checking your immune system would be a good idea - particularly the HIV testing.
Other common explanations for your condition would be local irritation (eczema) or drug reaction.
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again with your follow-up questions, if you require further information.
Kind Regards!
You're right...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
it is strange, indeed. Shingles is not supposed to spread in different parts of the body unless the patient is immunodeficient. Rare exceptions may occur but this is the rule.
Let me comment on the lesions.
The picture of your neck is not clear enough but the location is compatible with shingles. The picture of your arm does not look like shingles (too limited lesions) but I can't exclude it. The third picture (particularly the red lines) do not look like shingles either, although the picture is not clear. Perhaps the red lines appeared because of the scratching?
The typical shingles rash appears a few days after the first symptoms and evolves from small blisters with clear fluid to blisters with cloudy fluid. After the blisters disappear crusts develop in the area and then it heals completely. If you've had the typical blisters then the diagnosis is very likely. I'm sure your doctor wouldn't have missed that!
So if your doctor is very certain that you do have shingles then checking your immune system would be a good idea - particularly the HIV testing.
Other common explanations for your condition would be local irritation (eczema) or drug reaction.
I hope I've helped!
Contact me again with your follow-up questions, if you require further information.
Kind Regards!
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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