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Conditions

Shingles

Shingles

Shingles is a skin rash that is caused by the chickenpox virus, and is part of the herpes family of viruses. It can occur in anyone who has previously suffered from chickenpox, and involves the herpes zoster virus being reactivated as a result of emotional stress, some cancer treatments and immune deficiency. It can lead to outbreaks of puss filled blisters along the skin, often accompanied by a burning pain. Normally the condition lasts around 3 weeks, but sometimes longer. The blisters will eventually burst and crust over, but until that occurs the sufferer will be extremely contagious and can spread the condition to others. Antiviral drugs can be administered to reduce the severity and duration of the rash, but often treatment can just take the form of anti-itching lotions and washing of the affected area.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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2 years ago, i woke up with an excruciating pain on the side of my face at my ear and covered in spots in straight lines along my nerves. Went to the doc, said i had a neurological virus and was sent home. Spots eventually went and i started to feel better. Discovered a lump at my ear where it had been sore, was told it was a neuroma, went to ENT for over a year, to eventually be told it was cartilage that had grown due to ear infections. However the pain at my ear never left, was told that if i had had a virus then it probably destroyed my nerve, hence the pain. I have also been to GP to say that i am having a lot of terrible nerve pain since the virus started, she said she didn't know what it was and wouldnt't be bothering either. Since then spots have come back on the nerve in my neck twice, polka straight line and very painful. i am still suffering with extreme nerve pain and wondering why the spots have returned. Is it just a neurological virus that flairs up now and again and has destroyed nerves leaving me with pains?





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Hi was not suffering from same condition but keep going back to gp. My ears were really painful one GP thought i was mad said i could not have pains as there was no bone there went to two other GPs last one said she had heard of a condition called Chondritis going back again as she was,nt sure of the spelling and i cant find any think with that spelling so anoying for you

I was told I had Herpes,by a Doc,but it turned out to be Shingles,in my private area. I first had it when I was around 10 years old,so that was def not Herpes ! So when I had it in later life I knew that the Doc was wrong & it was another out break os Shingles,I know it is the Herpes virus. I still have outbreaks & I would also be grateful for any more info about how to cut down the number of these 7 to treat them.





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I had shingles in the most uncomfortable area ever..vulva and anus. Worst bit is, I didn't know what it was. My Dr woodnt examine me and said it was prob my eczema coming back even tho I told him it wasnt a rash, but ulcers. He gave me a cream which I applied for 2 weeks. It stang so much my eyes watered and I couldnt move for fear of more pain up to 10mins after applying. I eventually seeked a second opinion from a Dr who DID examine me and diagnosed me with shingles. I had been in university everyday up to that day and so couldve passed it to anyone without knowing. She told me that the cream I'd been applying woodve made things worse instead of better and gave me antivirals which cleared it up so quick. Just goes to show, not all Drs will have time for you. If in doubt always seek a seconf opinion





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I also had Shingls in the same area,Vulva,anus,vey painful. I am relieved to know that I`m not alone,as the Doctor dianosed me with Herpes,while i know it is a form of Herpes,mine was not sexualy transmitted it was Shingles. It is over two years ago now,but I still get some discomfort in the areas where it was..

Hey when me and my mate went away she come up with the rash full of blisters rightunder were she were's her bra and all on her sholder and we did not no what it was so we went to the docters and they said it was shingels and they gave her this cream and witin a day it was all gone





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i have been newly diagnosed with shingles today, first outbreak. i work for the health service as a carer, i will be unable to work for about 2 weeks apparently as the condition is contagious, my worry is that if these re-occurs regularly and i have to keep taking time off work, i'm gonna fall behind with mortgage payments etc. any advice would really be welcome, thanks





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hi i had shingles of the iner ear they called it ramsay hunt syndrom very painfull a year on and i am still got some of the simtoms my doctor said it will take time





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im 43 and 2 years ago i started getting sores up the left side of my nose and it was painful which broke out in blisters afew times over 8 months,the blisters then started breaking out on the out side of my nose as well as up my nose,so i went to my GP and i was told it was shingles.since the shingles have broken out 4 times in this past year up and on the side of my nose,but i have just had shingles and it also broke out under my eye and on my forhead and seems to spread more evey time i get shingles.but its very painful and gets me down.ive been taking ACICLOVIR for the shigles and GABAPENTIN for the pain.my GP told me that there is no cure and i have been left with scaring on my nose.how can i cope with having to put up with it for the rest of my life........





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I have had shingles once or twice a month for about 18 years. I must have tried everything known to man !! I also suffer from neuralgia pain which is very like the pain from shingles. On the internet I read up on nerves and sheaths that cover them and was concerned that the sheaths can become damaged over time is this true ? I started having cracks at the corners of my mouth and took vit B tablets. After 1 month no cracks but no shingles either. Over 10 months neuralgia pain lessended still no shingles or cracks but suddenly started again !! I wonder if it was just a coincidence with the Vit B has anyone else tried this ?





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When I had Shingles, I was living & working in Greece the Doc there gave me a high doseage of vitamin B. I continued to take it when I returned to the UK,& like U if I stop the Shingles come back,so there must be a connection.

hi im righting on behalf of my son he's 4years old,at christmas i noticed a cluster of blisters around his right big toe and one or two inbetween big/and first toe,id treated it as hand,foot and mouth although he didnt have them any were els.id kept him in isolation for six days but blisters still remain so i waited to see if they would faid.one night i noticed his blisters had spread right across hos toes and had skin peeing aswell,it looked like he had burnt his foot in hot water and his skin was looking like an old mans rinkly,id taken him to doctors and was told it looked like athelites foot but his feet wernt cracked iv been putting on cloirimazole 1% but have noticed today that the small pinprick blisters have spead all over his top and bottom of his feet on both and has some traveling up around his legs.he has been taking amoxacillin for his right ear two lots and drops but hasnt taken them for over a two weeks but still has a bad ear,could the rash be a result of this or somthink else,the doctor said the amoxacillin wouldnt of caused his foot problem,iv heard of a condition called phoxi......? could this be it and is there a cure please help,if its not touched it dosent itch him but when he touches it he tryes bitting his foot as he says it itches he also says his right foot burns when imerge in warm bath water,so when i pull im out of the bath it looks like he's burnt read raw but then the redness settles again but skin still peeling.(if it helps he's a mixed race child).





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I'm 37 now my first lot of shingles was about 9 years ago, up until last year I had been taking anti viral tablets constantly for about 3 years, every time I tried to stop taking them it would flare up within a couple of days. I stopped taking the tablets last year and since then I have had the rash and pain in my leg (the rash is on my right bum cheek) 5 times. My doctor said it was shingles and sent me to a specialist who said it was cold sores!!!! I still believe it to be shingles. They basically told me there is nothing they can do about it and I will just have to live with it!! Helpful or what :(





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the area of skin around it. It is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. Read More »

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