Shingles

[Headless Rat]

Hi I developed Shingles on 28th July. The pain has gone and the rash has died down but it is still there although very faded. It has started to become a bit itchy again. Can you get a relapse of shingles or anything like that? How long should it take for the rash to completely disappear? I've used no creams or anything on it. Thanks

[Lil O'lady]

Did your GP diagnose this as shingles? If so you should have been prescribed Zovirax or similar under diff name. Shingles in adults can be very scarring, as well as physically debilitating, and lavish use of Zovirax is recommended to reduce the inflammation and itchiness as well as control the spread of infection.
In shingles the virus is attacking the nerve endings which is why if you have not seen a doctor about this attack you really should.
The episodes of pain and itching can recur for years after depnding on your overall health - often flaring up if you get stressed or worn out.

[garner]

I do agree with the above answer.I will say I have had shingles and it took ages and I mean ages for feeling to go.

[Ethel]

And exposure to the sun can bring on a recurring bout.

:(

You may never have it again, though, most people don't :)

It is highly contagious so I hope you have stayed away from people

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068820/

[Headless Rat]

Oh it was definitely shingles. I went to the doctor straight away. She put me on anti-virals, pain killers and paracetamol. Thanks.

[Tallalulah]

Not sure if you can get a relapse, but I'd check that out with your GP. I'm just getting over shingles, had the anti viral medication and codeine and paracetamol for the pain. Unfortunately the pain didn't go away. The rash (if looking as if I'd had acid thrown over my neck and shoulders isa rash) took about 9 nine days to start clearing, I have large pink scars wich constantly tingle and burn on occasions, but I can cope well enough with that. It's the intense pain. The shingles were on my right sight side, my head, ear (inside and out) neck, chest and down my back to my shoulder blade. The pain is at the base of my skull and ear. Feels rather like someone has thrown a hatchet at me and it has embedded itself in my skull. Yes, this sounds a bit dramatic, but it's certainly how ite feels. I've been given medication (Tegretol), usually prescribed for epilepsy. Apparently it numbs the nerve endings and therefore stops the pain! It does a little but not altogether plus I'm absent from work and this is really getting me down. Sorry to go on about it, go back and ask you GP to prescribe you something to calm the rash down, I found a warm shower directed onto the rash helps an awful lot.

[Ethel]

I take tegretol for neuralgia, so don't be alarmed

[upsydaisy]

Hi headless, unfortunately you CAN get reccuring (sp?) shingles - I've had it now happening now for almost 9 years - I've been referred to hopsital and had various tests but they can't find out why. Was v scary when I got it whilst in early pregnancy (9wks) but thankfully no harm came to the baby. Its not as bad these days and as someone else said be very careful in the sun (I wear factor 50 over scar site) as this can cause flare up of the rash. I now have repeat prescription available for the aciclovir so I can get it as soon as tingle starts. Sometimes doctors will put you on a lower dose of aciclovir for 6 months to try and clear you of it. All the best.