What’s this rash on my husband? Driving me insane!

[Indoorvoicesbluey]

Fed up of his moaning.

he’s got a painful blister rash on the palm of his hand, his arm and now his elbow. He’s tried getting a doctors appointment but nothing until May. He’s been to the chemist and they have him steroid cream but it’s not getting better.

👍🏻

Does it hurt as though needles are sticking into nerve lines? If so, that is shingles.

You don’t get shingles in multiple areas
This looks like scabies which is contagious so easily spreads if he’s scratching

https://www.healthline.com/health/nerve-paths-that-shingles-follow

Shingles usually appears in one to two dermatones on one side of the body.

So it could be, though I would think he'd be pretty miserable by now if it was. After 72 hours there's not much point in an antiviral.

I just got the Shingrix vaccine; I never, ever want to experience that pain again. It was just horrible😱

He hasn't been doing a bunch of gardening by any chance? Kind of looks like when I got all my arms done by poison ivy.

His elbow looks like shingles. He will need to start anti virals as soon as possible so get to a GP.

Scabies, I thought.

It could be hand foot and mouth virus.

That looks like shingles to me. Looks the same as my hubby had earlier in the year and had to stay off work

Depending on what happens next I'd guess impetigo or dihydrous eczema

Impetigo also known as scrumpox. Big flat scabs, a bit like cornflakes. Very contagious, don't share towels, wash everything, and I think you can get cream from the chemist, but might need GP.

Dihydrous eczema smaller, very itchy and/or painful - often common on feet as well as hands. Clear blisters that pop, leave a scab and then flake off with a ring of skin.

Having looked again at your photos, I'd say more probably likely to be the eczema, and it's often not diagnosed very well.

Dishydrotic not dihydrous- sorry should've googled it!

If you do suspect shingles (and I think theres evidence to say you should) call 111. If you see the NHS guidance it does say to do this, so you're not over-reacting or time wasting to call them. Hope he feels better soon!

Scabies! You need to treat the entire family and boil wash everything!

My DH has had something similar-looking on/off for years. He's a carpenter and handles lots of wood, dirt etc.

GP says it's plain old contact dermatitis. He's had a skin sample tested and nothing else has been indicated. it's treated with steroid cream.

I actually hope your DH has something else that's more easily treated and doesn't reoccurr. Good luck!

Looks like a type of eczema I used to get and really itchy? I had cream prescribed by gp
id get him an appointment with the doctor next week

The elbow photo looks like shingles, the other photos not so much. If it is shingles it’s too late for acyclovir, it needs to be started within 72 hours. It’s only contagious to others if he rubs the blisters on someone else. Occupational health said I was fine to work as a nurse when I had it.

It's shingles.

scabies is usually in a particular place, middle of stomach, creases in fingers

Shingles

Yes you can.

It's not multiple areas. It looks like it but that patch of skin with elbow, forearm, palm are all supplied by the same nerve and shingles targets the path of the nerve

Adding to the resounding opinion here the second I saw the photos I thought shingles. As a long term recurring sufferer. It can flare in more than one patch on the same side/nerve at once. It's essential to get started on the antivirals as soon as the rash starts, can he get to a walk in today?

If it is that the rash will blister with the fluid, be painful and sensitive, then crust over and scab. Try to keep it covered to prevent transmission.

My first major flare up as an adult I was misdiagnosed and given an antibacterial with steroid cream which made it much worse. Now I keep antivirals at home at all times to catch it quickly if it starts.

I’m 100% certain that’s shingles - I get it at least once a year. Not so sure about the bit on his hand but still could be. He needs anti virals. That’s crazy he can’t get an appt till may isn’t it, I would try calling 111 and see if you can get a prescription that way.

I suspect shingles too. He needs to stay at home until it’s confirmed or denied (call 111 or GP for same day app), he could cause problems for vulnerable people and pregnant women.

Only if he goes up to then and rubs his blisters on them!

If he keeps the rash covered (and with the hand that is important of course to prevent touching something with the fluid) then it's not like chickenpox. He can go out!