HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Mouth Eruption With A Line Of Blisters?

Posted on Wed, 6 Aug 2014

Question: Can shingles affect ine side if the mouth but the opposite side if the body? I have been following with my PCP for what they believed was shingles. Then my mouth erupted with a line of blisters/ulcers in the opposite side of the skin symptoms. There is a clear ending at the midline of the palate. I then developed a slightly itchy rash on my outer hip. My PCP does not feel it could be shingles, that it is another virus. Both rashes are painful. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upload photos

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query. I would prefer images of both the oral and cutaneous lesions for better evaluation

Theoretically, shingles can affect 2 different regions of the body simultaneously. When it affects the oral cavity, it may also be associated with painful lesions over and within the ears. This could affect the ear canal, eardrum and earlobe. There may be rash over the tongue and roof of the mouth (palate) as well as paralysis of facial muscles.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 minutes later)

Thank you for answering. The photos are attached. The hip rash is on the right side and the mouth ulcers on the left.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Review diagnosis

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I have seen the pictures.

The rash on skin does'nt look like shingles. I would rather think of folliculitis

Regarding oral mucosal lesions, they can be aphthous ulcers. Aphthae are painful.

However, I would like to clarify a few things:

-Do you have any rash, blisters on or near to the ear on the affected side (left side)?
-Do you feel any heaviness on one side of the face or difficulty in facial expressions on one side of the face (left side)?
-Are you able to close both of your eyes while asleep?

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (40 minutes later)

No symptoms on the left side except the mouth ulcers. The right-sided rash is not the typical folliculitis with a white-head in the middle. They are more hive-like, but burn and tingle instead of itching. I have also had a low grade fever, and was on valtrex from my PCP for what they assumed were shingles (prior to the rashes i have). Both rashes appeared about 2-3 days after stopping the valtrex .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not Shingles

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Since the lesions appeared 2-3 days after you completed taking valtrex for a suspected shingles, so it is very unlikley that these are related to shingles as shingles does'nt happen immediately after a course of valtrex

I would keep a possibility of aphthous ulcers for the oral cavity lesions. I would suggest a mouthwash, twice daily and a topical antiseptic e.g hexidine gel, twice daily.

Regarding the lesions on buttocks, they don't look like shingles at all. This could be either acneform eruptions or follicular infection/folliculitis. I would suggest you to a apply an OTC topical antibacterial e.g mupirocin or neosporin ointment, twice daily.

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