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Suggest Treatment For Painful Shingles

Posted on Fri, 13 Jul 2018

Question: Are shingles always painful? I have an under the skin rash. Not blisters. More like smal clustered hives. Started 8 days ago with a place under my chin and is now all the way around my neck and into my hair XXXXXXX behind my ears and on my jaw line. No new meds, ITCHES TERRIBLY...BENYDRIL DOESNT STOP THE ITCHING. It only makes me sleepy.

Answered by Dr. Eni (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Acyclovir or other antiviral if it is shingles.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,

Thank You for posting on HealthcareMagic.

Is this your first episode of shingles? If you really have shingles you need to make sure and to start antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir as soon as possible. Benadryl or any other antihistaminic will not help.

Please keep in mind that, it can be shingles only when it involves half the body, head or chest. To verify it, you need to check with a dermatologist or infectious disease specialist and s/he will take scrubbing material from your skin and analyze it under the microscope.

If you have other question, please feel free to post them.

Regards,
Dr. Eni

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Eni (18 minutes later)

I’ve not been told this rash is shingles. Just trying to figure out what is causing it. It just keeps growing!

Answered by Dr. Eni (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Is it half

Detailed Answer:
Dear,

Is it on the first of the body that you are having?
Is it involving half the head, that means only the left or only the right side?

Could you please post/upload a picture of it? You can simply attach it to the reports section of this web-page.

Dr. Eni

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. Arnab Banerjee