Shingles rash pain
Common Questions and Answers about Shingles rash pain
rash
It is not necessary that shingles will present with a rash and can present as atypical shingles also. Mostly shingles is accompanied by a very painful rash, but sometimes shingles pain occurs without a rash. This condition is known as zoster sine herpete. In the absence of a rash, pain in the chest or the back may be so severe as to occasionally be mistaken for a heart attack, a lung infection or spinal problem.
I noticed the following article talked about using over the counter pain meds. Whoever wrote that article has never had shingles, LOL. Over the counter pain meds for shingles would be like taking a placebo.
I am perplexed by your doctor's response to your request for pain medication:
"I asked her if she could order an analgesic script for me until then and she said no, because the incivek rash doesn't have pain associated with it."
That is not logical thinking.
I've been having this rash on my shins, really itchy, on each shin same location. I've had the itchiness for about 6 months now. Recently, the rash got worse until it looks like the skin broke. Now they're kind of crusty. I went to my doctor and she said it looks like shingles, but I've always heard shingles is painful. I don't have any pain, just itchy. I've read on the internet (so it must be true) that shingles lasts 4 to 6 weeks.
Yes according to the Mayo clinic you can get Shingles without a rash. It is more common to get it with the rash but it is possible to not have a rash..
Thanks for your shingles site selection. My question was a concern whether shingles type pain without rash on the breast could be a symptom of breast cancer? My GP did a blood test on Friday to determine if herpes/chicken pox virus is in my blood. I will get the results next week. Then I will know whether I need to see a breast specialist. Thanks for your quick response.
Was told at the hospital emergency I had shingles. Great deal of pain on r. Side, goes around to front, one spot. Sae primary dr. Today and he said itis not shingles, no blisters...I have lots of pain,he is having me take MRI on r. Side, possible pinched nerve. Who is right? I am in lots of pain, worse having the MRI.
This discussion is related to <a href="/posts/Undiagnosed-Symptoms/post-shingles-problems/show/548027">post shingles problems</a>.
The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain.
Treatment of shingles includes antiviral drugs, steroids, analgesics and anti viral eye drops.
However, in periods of extreme stress or immunocompromized patients, the virus gets reactivated and can cause shingles. The rash of shingles and the pain associated with it is seen in the area which the infected nerve with the virus supplies. Which area of your body is affected by shingles? The pinched nerve in the L4 - L5 vertebrae is certainly not causing shingles. Shingles affects the nerves and then causes symptoms associated with it.
The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain.
Take the prescribed drug as advised and if there is any pain then you can take the pain killers.
Does anyone know if you can have shingles without a blistered rash. I had three bumps on my back at waistline which I thought were some kind of bites. Then I started having really bad pain and a feeling like I had a sunburn. This all happened over a weekend. So I went to the doctor on Tuesday, and he said it was shingles, but I don't have the blisters. One of the spots is a little scaly but very little.
I have a pain in my right testicle and the pain travels half way down the inner part on my thigh and a bit in the lower part of my abdominal area. There is some swelling and a few little bumps. It has turned to be really sensitive to the point where it hurts to sit down and go from sitting to standing it hurts. It kind of feels like a stinging pain. Any idea of what it is or what I should do?
Treatment of shingles includes antiviral drugs like acyclovir, valacyclovir, famicyclovir, steroids to improve healing time analgesics to reduce the pain and anti viral eye drops if there is any eye involvement. The rash and pain usually subside within three to five weeks, but about one in five patients develop a painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which is often difficult to manage.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts.
( if anyone has had this how long did it take for the pain to go away thanks x
It most definitely IS possible for people to have shingles without having a rash. The pain is just as intense as it is in those where the rash is present. The area that you are describing as being involved on your body is CLASSIC for shingles. The pain and/or rash follows a nerve root from the spine around to the center of your chest.
I would let the doctor know what is going on.
I had shingles about 2 months ago. The pain was unbearable. I am experiencing that same exact pain again in a different area but there isn't a rash. Is it possible to get shingles again? Without a rash? The pain is exactly the same.
Hi JennyParker,
Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us but very sorry to hear about your pain.
Did you have chicken pox as a child? Nine out of ten of us answer yes to that question. As Mellie suggested your symptoms sound like the beginning of a Shingles outbreak. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The older a person is the more likely they are to develop Shingles.
Can my shingles rash spread from contact with my blistered rash to unaffected areas on my body? Or for example if I itch the rash then touch my face, can it spread to my face? Also, if my sheets, or clothing get fluid from the blisters on them can it spread the rash from contact? I want to do as much as possible to not spread the rash to other areas of my body, especially my face.
Hello,
Mostly shingles is accompanied by a very painful rash, but sometimes shingles pain occurs without a rash. This condition is known as zoster sine herpete. In the absence of a rash, pain in the chest or the back may be so severe as to occasionally be mistaken for a heart attack, a lung infection or spinal problem.
You can discuss this possibility with your dermatologist and get yourself prescribed for the treatment of shingles.
Without treatment, the symptoms of shingles (eg, rash, blisters, and pain) usually go away in about 3 to 5 weeks. Although shingles can make you very uncomfortable while you have it, it usually is not dangerous to healthy people. However, some people may develop complications from shingles, such as continued severe pain after the blisters are gone. This condition is called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), and can be extremely painful and very hard to cope with.
Recommended
