Is this shingles? (Photo)

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ds1 has had really bad headaches for two days and a rash on his waist which has now started to blister. Does this look like shingles?

Does it go round one side from his spine to the midline at tge front?
It could well be shingles. How old is he and has he been ill recently?
Did he get chicken pox under the age of 1 year?

It’s on his back at waist height but only on the right hand side. He’s 13 and had chicken pox age 2.5. Hasn’t been ill recently but does seem to get any virus that is circulating.

Have you done the glass test on the rash?

Think so

Looks like shingles to me.

Does look like it.

It doesn't have to go right round but will only be on one side. It follows a nerve root so will often be in kind of a line.

Dd has had it twice. Go and see a gp first thing tomorrow because if you start acicloveer (sp) within 72hrs it can reduce symptoms.

Starts at his spine and goes around to his side but nothing on the front (yet)

In fact possibly if you have a walk in centre near you maybe go there to get the anti viral meds ASAP. Dd was quite poorly with it the first time, couldn't walk for six weeks. We missed the 72hr window.

Definitely looks like shingles.

You can get treatment and you should get it asap. Keep the rash covered and keep him well away from other people who may not have had chicken pox, anyone who might be pregnant or immunocompromised.
You and he should not touch the rash and he should not touch bedding or towels that other people might use.

Certainly does look like shingles to me too.

I would try to get him seen first thing tomorrow as the antivirals to shorten the length and help prevent longer term issues are most effective is you start use within three days of rash appearing.

Dont just turn up, phone your OOH care provider and make sure he can be seen away from other people.

Looks like the rash I had when had shingles.

That looks like shingles to me. There seems to be a lot of shingles and CP around this year.

Oh blimey. He's only just had time off school with a broken ankle so really didn't want anything else for a while! Right I'll ring out of hours.

He can probably go to school, just keep area covered and not touch it.

It does look like he’s scratched it. It’s really important not to break the blisters as that’s how it spreads and you certainly don’t want it anywhere near your eyes. Shingles in your eyes can be very serious and nasty. Hope he feels better soon.

(I am autosuppressed and caught shingles on holiday! Was not fun!)

He has scratched it. Initially it was just three lumps that looked like insect bites and were itchy but then its spread.

Just trying to find out whether there's a nearby walk in centre open. Rash stared about 3 days ago he thinks and so I'm not sure whether we are still within 72 hours or not.

If he has shingles, he can’t go to school, even if you cover it up.

I think you've had enough replies to convince you already but yes, that looks exactly like my (repeated bouts of) shingles. Hope you can get him seen and on the antiviral asap. I keep them at home now as starting them quickly makes a huge difference.

No, he won't be able to go to school until the last spot scabs over. usually 10-14 days like chicken pox.

Yes id say its shingles. Gp said dd didnt need to stay off if she felt ok. Its only catching if you touch the rash and it was under her clothes. She did stay off a few days untul she felt a bit better.

I’d agree it’s shingles

Thanks everyone. Spoken to out of hours and they've said not to bring him in but they've sent a report to the GP surgery to see him first thing.

I'll try to cover it up this evening to stop him scratching it in his sleep.

I thought mine was insect bites at first too! I thought I’d been bitten by some weird spider and was terrified...