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Original poster

DD2 got Shingles.....what to do next?

25 replies

biglips · 20/01/2011 10:31

as been to the docs this morning and i thought it was impetigo but its shingles - water blisters with a black dot in the middle inside the blister. It is red raw but my dd2 is not scratching it. she had it since Sunday started with one spot and now got loads in a circle patch on her arm.

thanks

OP posts:
MinnieBar · 20/01/2011 10:47

My DD1 had this about 6 mths ago - another child had chicken pox and it brought out the shingles (apparently, if you get CP very early on it can get re-awakened by contact with CP). DD2 (then 3 mths) got CP as a result so she will probably have the same issue at some point!

They told me there's not much you can do - as it's a nerve-type pain, like pins and needles, Calpol etc. doesn't really cut it. Sorry to not be of more help.

Lizzylou · 20/01/2011 10:50

DS1 had this last year, he was not ill with it at all, I was gobsmacked when the GP diagnosed shingles.
Have they given you anti-virals?
DS1 was all clear after 3 days of starting them. I do think he had a mild case though.

And yes, DS2 got CP a week or so later Hmm

MinnieBar · 20/01/2011 10:53

I think the anti-virals only work if you have them within 72hrs of contact?

Lizzylou · 20/01/2011 10:56

They ummed and aahed about giving DS1 anti-virals, but said to try them and it worked wonders, Minnie.

Would something like that anti-histamine that I can't remember name of, help?

Original poster
biglips · 20/01/2011 10:59

no..docs not given any antibiotics but just to ride it out.

so do i just treat it as CP? put calamine lotion on and have milky baths? as her skin looks red raw, and would she still come out in CP as well? (dd1 had CP at dd2's age)

ive read up on it about shingles and its the same baterical.

do i look it as CP..wait till the last spot crusted over? before i able to take her out?

thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
biglips · 20/01/2011 11:03

and also my DSD who is 12 is coming over tmrw till Sunday...she already her CP years ago but her baby brother who will be 1 at the end of March hadnt yet...Can DSD still come here?

OP posts:
MinnieBar · 20/01/2011 11:11

Docs told me that it's only skin-to-blister contact that can lead to catching CP from shingles so it's apparently quite hard (unlike CP which is in sneezes and so is airborne). However, like I say DD2 got it at 3mths and obviously didn't touch DD1 herself, so I must have transferred it.

It wouldn't be impossible for the baby to get it, but not likely. Just tell them and then it's their choice.

peanutbutterkid · 20/01/2011 11:26

The 1yo could catch chickenpox from the child with shingles.
I think shingles sheds the virus for ages and ages, so you in theory should quanrantine for quite a while.
Must be advice about how long... a month?

Original poster
biglips · 20/01/2011 11:33

10 -14 days go back if it not cleared up.

is that right that shingles only come up when youve had the CP? or have i read that wrong??

my dd2 is 2.4 yrs old.

ok ill get dp to call SDS's mum 2nite

OP posts:
Galena · 20/01/2011 12:13

DD caught CP from me when she was 10mo. I didn't realise I had shingles, I thought they were insect bites round my waist. Blush I was bf at the time and her arm would rest against my waist - particularly at night.

I guess she's likely to get shingles at some point too.

MinnieBar · 20/01/2011 12:17

Yes you can ONLY get shingles if you've had CP and you are more likely to get it if a) your immune system is low (which is why the elderly get it more) and b) if you contracted CP when you were v young, i.e. when your immune system wasn't fully developed.

If you haven't had CP you can get it from someone with shingles.

Original poster
biglips · 20/01/2011 12:25

my dd2 hadnt caught Cp yet, so it looks like that dd2 had a virus and she came out in shingles...maybe? as she been well and no sign of illness too.

OP posts:
Original poster
biglips · 20/01/2011 12:40

also skin to skin contact....i dont know anyone who got shingles...

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peanutbutterkid · 20/01/2011 12:53

I would phone NHS direct to get this confirmed.
What I read elsewhere on the 'Net is that a person with shingles can only pass on CP virus if their sores are actively oozing, and even then direct contact is probably necessary: ie, the not-cp-immune person has to actually touch the person with shingles or something their sore has oozed onto.

But like I said, ask NHS-Direct to advise.

MinnieBar · 20/01/2011 13:00

Your DD2 wouldn't have got shingles from someone else with shingles; it would have been re-awakened in her system by coming into contact with someone with CP. It stays in your system dormant until awakened in the right circumstances.

Is it possible that your DD2 did have CP without you realising? DD1 only had 1 spot and so we weren't even sure she had it until she got shingles.

Seona1973 · 20/01/2011 13:33

chicken pox does not bring on shingles, it is a reactivation of chicken pox that the person had to have had earlier on. It is though to be brought on my being run down, stress, etc not by chicken pox itself. You can get chicken pox from shingles but not the other way round.

Original poster
biglips · 20/01/2011 16:31

minniebar- i get ya now....hmm interesting isnt it! Grin

AND

is there anything i can do to her red raw skin wheres the shingles is? or anything to take? or just completely leave it as she aint scratching it (cos she been wearing long sleeves all week)

thanks

OP posts:
MinnieBar · 20/01/2011 17:08

Seona I've been told both, that shingles can and can't be reactivated by CP. I think medically the jury is out... (disclaimer: if you are a doctor then of course you are right) Grin
I think I put Sudocrem on DD1 if I remember. But if it's not bothering her...

Original poster
biglips · 21/01/2011 10:20

picture is in my profile...

docs said shingles but it doesnt look like shingles on the photos ive googled.

OP posts:
Galena · 21/01/2011 10:54

That's what mine was like - started off like insect bites, then turned into blisters which popped (when I scratched them Blush ) and then were really weepy, etc. A year on and I still have a few scars.

Original poster
biglips · 21/01/2011 10:56

the ones that look like hula hoops hadnt been scratched off yet

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BrigitBigKnickers · 21/01/2011 13:25

Looks just like shingles to me.

My DD had CP very early (7 months)and has had small patches of shingles three or four times.

The first time she had it the GP gave her acyclovir cream (exactly the same as Zovirax used to treat cold sores)

The last few times she has had it we just bought some from the chemist. We cover it up so no-one can touch it as it can only cause CP in someone who has never had it if they actually touch the blisters.

MinnieBar · 22/01/2011 11:27

Just to give you a heads up as well, they will take absolutely ages to go down. After they scab over it goes quite a dark red colour, then pinky, then that fades to a whitish-grey colour (bit like stretch marks) which sticks around for months. We thought DD1 was going to be scarred but actually looking at her last night I think they have finally gone (this is 5-6mths later).

Not trying to scare you, just don't be too worried if it happens, it will fade. Eventually!

Original poster
biglips · 02/05/2011 20:41

she got them again but as bad as last time as just 4 spots.

they seems to appear overnight too Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
biglips · 02/05/2011 20:44

BUT i do have a coldsore so just wondered if that had flared the shingles up again as maybe same viral

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