Painful patch of skin?

[mumofjust1]

I've had a patch of skin to the right of my breast bone about 3 inches down from my collar bone which has become very painful and sensitive. This has been going on for the last 4 months or so.

It's a kind of stinging/burning pain which is worse when I wear a necklace and when my clothes touch it.

I also had a patch of skin on my back, same side but lower down, that felt like something was crawling across it - that was about 3 months ago and lasted about a month.

Any ideas what could cause this? Should I bother the Gp?

Thanks :)

Shingles? What does the skin look like?

Can you see anything? Is it inflamed? broken skin? rough skin? Can you feel it on top or underneath the skin, IYSWIM?

Sorry, should have been clearer!

Nothing to see on the skin at all. Perfectly normal to look at and touch. No change in colour, texture, nothing. No lumps of bumps. Just thie horrible sensation on the surface.

Does it really burn like boiling water, even if you touch it very gently?

Have you had chicken pox?

Mini yes and yes, boiling water is a good way to describe it and yes, have had chicken pox

You probably should go and see your GP. Have you been run down, tired or stressed?

If it feels like sunburn but isn't I would guess shingles too...

Shingles? For 4 months?

Some people, usually people who have other illness that depresses the immune system have been known to suffer from shingles for years.

4 months is quite common.

Ooooh - maybe I'd better see the GP then

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Haven't managed to get to the Gp yet - my gran had a heart attack last Wednesday and I've been spending a lot of time with her.

As I've sat here this evening the skin is hurting again and ice had really sharp shooting pains that seem to start in the skin on my chest, go across to my right arm and down the arm directly into my middle finger - it's so strange

Think I'll have to ring GP in the morning.