Could this be shingles? (Photo)

[ChipInTheSugar]

I've had pain in my mid-back, coming round the side of my ribs and under left breast. Assumed it was muscular/trapped nerve pain.

I've also had a sore under-boob crease area, where I would get a bit sweaty/sore in the summer, so somehow assumed it was just chafing (even though I've been freezing for days!

I've been putting cream on the spots, but got a better look at them this morning and suddenly thought, OMG shingles!!

Any opinions?

Hmm, possibly, though it’s quite a small patch.

Equally the red mark makes it look as though something could have been rubbing that area and maybe caused the spots.

How do you feel in yourself?

I was recovering from flu and extremely run down physically when I got shingles so wasn’t THAT surprised when it happened. I never got a really good look at my rash as it was on my back so only ever saw it in the mirror.

My shingles felt like sunburn with the obvious burn if that helps. My rash was pretty small. A big give away is it doesn’t cross the centre of your body.

I think some of the redness could be from my bra wire - it's literally in the crease of where breast meets body.

I haven't got any other extreme symptoms - except back/side/boob pain - but from what I've read, it's not a 100% symptom.

I might flash a local pharmacist ...

*without

I think if you're otherwise well, it's unlikely to be shingles. Everyone I know that's had it (including me) has been floored by it. I had to make a sort of 'cage' to keep even a sheet from touching the spots, they were agony. It tends to follow along the path of a nerve, if that helps?

I think it’s likely. .... sorry

Go to your local pharmacy and they can tell you

Mine looked like that. See the doctor.

I had shingles recently. It was pretty much like that. Same area too! Get thee to a doctor because they can give you antivirals but they are only effective up to 48 hours after the spots appear (if I recall correctly). That's what I did and although a bit sore and very itchy at times mine were certainly not agony. I think the anti virals probably helped.

Yeah, looks unpleasantly familiar. If it's just come up yesterday/today get to the docs as tree says. Best of luck on a quick recovery.

Shingles isn't always terrible. I had it a few yrs ago and other than a bit sore for a few days before spots, I was fine. My 8 yr old had it last yr and he was fine.

My DS had it when he was about 9 and wasn't unwell at all. His rash tingled but didn't hurt and the GP who confirmed it sent him straight back to school.

Thank you - waiting to get through to the gp.

Well, GP was as undecided as we collectively are! So, belt and braces, anti virals and a fungal cream. One or the other will work!

Hope it clears up Op . My dd had shingles and wasn’t ill with it at all.

That looks like shingles to me but IANAD. You'll know if they turn into little blisters. I had it along the same nerve path. I wasn't ill with it but it was bloody uncomfortable for quite a few weeks, not helped at all by the fact that it was right under my bra band. More spots followed the first ones, spreading to my back, so you may have them to come.

I'll keep an eye out, ThatLibraryMiss

Good to know that others have had it without too much discomfort - and it explains why painkillers weren't touching what I thought was just regular back pain!

Pain in the boob arse place to have it though!

It doesn't look like shingles to me. I had shingles where you describe and it looked/felt very different to what you've described. It definitely looks more like a rash from your wire rubbing.

I had them and they looked like a welt at first. It burned and hurt and itched and then got bubble like. I went to the pharmacist and she recognised it immediately. Mine didn't make me too sick.

My shingles looked like that in areas. It also felt like someone was stabbing me from the inside out. A level of pain that I will never forget. I would make an app to see your gp.