|
Q
: About 4 days ago, one side of my body (my arm and back) started itching, then my upper chest area. The area is red with what appears to be white blisters under the skin, itchy, sore, etc. I've looked at pictures of shingles and mine is not above the skin (only under so far). Could this be the start of shingles? Thanks
|
|
Answer
: Hello Michelle. You should consult a doctor to get a correct diagnosis. One way to be sure is to check if you had chicken pox as a child. You can only get shingles if you have had a previous infection of chicken pox. Shingles (otherwise known as Herpes Zoster) is a painful, blistering rash caused by the
chickenpox (varicella) virus, which affects only a limited area of skin, and makes you feel surprisingly tired, run down, and even depressed.
You may feel slightly unwell, and develop a localised area of pain and tenderness a few days or sometimes up to two weeks before the rash appears. The rash starts off as red spots, which quickly turn into blisters. They always affect only one side of the body (left or right) and never cross the midline. This is because they come out on the area of skin which is supplied by one particular nerve.
The rash may affect any part of the body, including head and limbs. It may thus appear as a band around one side of the chest or abdomen, or down an arm or leg. It may affect the head, and when it affects the upper cheek or the side of the forehead it may also affect the eye. It is usually a very painful rash, and typically people can't bear clothes touching the affected area.
|
