What May Have Caused It?

[agchristie]

I spent several hours in the garden today. A few hours after I finished I suddenly became aware of a burning sensation across my lower back under the level of the waistband on the shorts I was wearing. When I looked it was red raw like sunburn and very hot to touch. It runs right across below my waist and is several inches deep.

I didn't feel anything sting me but could have been bitten perhaps or is it likely to have been some sort of reaction?

It is still very red and burning :o(

[agchristie]

Albaqwerty - no I didn't wash them.

Jack - thanks for the reassurance.

Mazie - I haven't consciously knocked or touched any border plants.

[Jackdaw33]

" It's just a rash". I beg to differ. You clearly didn't have shingles, just a rash!

[237SJ]

Have you got any antihistamine cream? If you have, put some of that on it

[237SJ]

Jackdaw, yes, I did have shingles.

[Mamyalynne]

Shingles can vary in its intensity and symptoms like anything else, I was bad with them - my Daughter had a mild case.

Agree with the advice above and see how things are in the morning.

[agchristie]

Yes I've put cream on,just hoping the burning eases....

[agchristie]

Thanks Mamya.

[mazie]

Hope it eases for you x

[Chipchopper]

Sounds like heat rash, aggravated by the elastic of the waistband

[Mamyalynne]

Did you hide this in Home & Garden so Sqad wouldn't see it ? ;-)

[agchristie]

Thanks Mazie.

Chipchopper - a possibility.

Mamya - No, I instantly thought to post in this section without thinking of Sqad!

[Mamyalynne]

Hope you get some rest.

[jno]

when I had shingles it was just a slightly sore eye. It comes in different strengths. But it only appears on one side of the body, so that ought to rule out anything going right across your back.

But it could have been a bite. I have several big red itchy blotches on my arm and stomach from when I was weeding the lawn. I never saw what did it, even when I looked, but I had factor something clothes on and it was cloudy so highly unlikely to have been sunburn. I don't know if this was true of you, though

[agchristie]

Jno - I was out for a few hours and it was mostly cloudy and breezy. The sun wasn't very strong.

I remember a few years ago I had a reaction on my back from lopping the heather bush. I had a number of red blotches after that episode.

[Jackdaw33]

jno, you were lucky. When I had them they stretched right across my belly. I was in agony for three weeks.

[237SJ]

Have you got any Piriton or any other oral antihistmine? If you have, I would take one. I wouldn't worry if you haven't though as I don't think you have anything to worry about

[mazie]

How's the back this morning AG ?

[agchristie]

237SJ - no but thanks for mentioning it.

Mazie - thanks for asking.It's still there but not burning as much and has faded slightly so hopefully easing....

[mazie]

Great. Fingers crossed it goes as quickly as it came.

[Chipchopper]

I hope the irritation has subsided, the cream should help.