Dd (12) appears to have shingles - should I be worried?

[eemie]

She seems well in herself and has been full of energy but under a lot of stress as her Dad has been in hospital for nearly three weeks and needs major heart surgery.

She has a patch of red rash with bumps, no blisters, in line with back fold of armpit.

It's been very itchy. Today she has a new patch further along the line of her rib.

Should I be worried about shingles in somebody so young? School nurse says she sees four or five a year - I was surprised.

She will be devastated as it means she won't be allowed to visit her Dad.

Any experience anyone?

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I would take her to the GP, you can get anti virals for shingles(although not sure if they are suitable for a 12yr old)which help it clear up a bit quicker, it can be very painful. Children do get it though, anyone who has had chicken pox can get it. Things like calamine lotion can soothe it a bit too, or just a cold flannel held against it.

it is horrible and painful. Lots of cool baths helped dd (although that was in summer...) Definitely lotion for the spots and maybe something for the pain too.

Isn't nice I'm afraid.

Yes take her to the GP and get advice on how contagious it is. My dh had shingles at around this age. Childhood can be a stressful time.

Hope she and her dad get better soon.

we were told it would be ok to be out and about if the rashes were covered but I kept her home and she didn't feel like going out anyway.

dd2 had shingles aged 11. It wasn't too sore for her and apparently it often isn't as sore for children.

You have to have the anti-viral very early on. Dd2 was given it but it didn't have much effect. Although maybe it stopped it spreading.

Are you sure she couldn't visit her dad? Check with the hospital. If the shingles is covered and she doesn't touch it, there is no chance of it spreading to anyone and causing chicken pox. But I realise hospitals will need strict blanket rules on illnesses.

ds had shingles at the age of 3 (had chicken pox at 5 1/2 months) - it was misdiagnosed as eczema at first so he didnt get anti-virals in time. As long as the shingles rash is kept covered it is unlikely that she will pass on chicken pox so check with the hospital as to whether she can visit. She will no longer be able to pass on chicken pox when the rash crusts over.

ds had it about 18 months ago. No ill effects once the rash had faded but achy on and off while it was there. Not contagioous unless directly exposed. Apparently it is more common in childhood than you might think.

Not read full thread so sorry if posting what has already been said - but shingles itself isn't contagious - it is reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox.
Try to get to the GP and get antivirals ASAP (if you leave it too long they are ineffective) - which will also help reduce the risk of post shingles pain further down the road

Yes have been to GP and got antivirals. It is very early. Doesn't seem to be hurting her (yet?) but the itching bothers her and she's got piriton for that.

The GP asked about stress and I started saying my dh was in hospital. He interrupted me, saying 'yes but is she under any stress?'

I contacted the hospital and microbiologist is happy for her to visit so long as it's covered up. Actually, though, she didn't want to visit tonight and I need to take notice of that & not assume she'll want to go every time. She's very apprehensive about the surgery.

Many thanks for all the info and reassurance everyone