“How can I be sure I have shingles and how do I treat it? ”
I have a bright red rash that goes from my back around my rib cage and under by breast line that is itchy and painful. General pain and then at times shooting pain even if I am sitting still. Do I need to go to the doctor to be diagnosed or can I just treat it at home?
Female | 58 years old
Complaint duration: 3 days
3 Answers
If it is only on ONE SIDE of the body, right or left and does NOT cross over the middle of the body and it looks like blisters, it is probably shingles. It needs to be treated with a prescription medication, but it may be too late now to help stop the spread. Usually it needs to be treated within 3 days of the rash first appearing. It will eventually go away by itself, but possibly leave long lasting pain, which can be treated by a different non-narcotic medication which is made for "nerve pain".
Hi,
The description fits into what seems to be Herpes Zoster (shingles). It is caused by a pox virus which gets reactivated when the person's immune system goes down. This can happen because of not resting well, overworked, dehydration, being underfed or too stressed etc. Nerve damage is done the longer the disease process is allowed to continue. Its best to see your dr. who will help to reverse the disease process with some antiviral medications and alleviate some of the pain. Pain can sometimes be extreme and prolonged and varies with individuals
The description fits into what seems to be Herpes Zoster (shingles). It is caused by a pox virus which gets reactivated when the person's immune system goes down. This can happen because of not resting well, overworked, dehydration, being underfed or too stressed etc. Nerve damage is done the longer the disease process is allowed to continue. Its best to see your dr. who will help to reverse the disease process with some antiviral medications and alleviate some of the pain. Pain can sometimes be extreme and prolonged and varies with individuals
This might well be shingles. You will want to see your doc soon. The sooner you wait for treatment, the more likely you will develop post-herpetic neuropathy if it is indeed shingles.
