Shingles?

[AgathaPinchBottom]

DH (60) has come home from work complaining of sore patch of skin on one side of his body below his ribs. Could it be shingles? There's no mark or anything, no rough skin or excema etc. but a bit worried it could be start of shingles. What's the likelihood? Are we both being overly worrysome?

Has he had a slight sore throat or headache in the last few days? these symptons can be present before any skin problems.
If you can get him to the Drs asap they can prescribe medication which will stop it in it's tracks, and stop shingles from reacurring. Like Aciclovir, but it needs to be taken very quickly.

Hi Agatha, - the pain of shingles is quite a distinctive, prickling pain - almost like nettles stings, and it comes in bursts - as if the nerves are firing off.

I've had it 3 times, and on each occasion pain has come before any types of rash, often just one spot which is sore. If you think he could have shingles, go to GP - the earlier you can get anti virals, the better chance they have of working. Its especially important in someone of your DH's age, because the older you are, the more likely you are to end up with post herpetic neuralgia from shingles, - I'm in my early fifties, and I have this and it is very painful. So definitely worth trying to stop it in it's tracks if you can.

Thank you so much for your posts! Will get him to the doctors quickly just in case. Thank you - that info was so helpful x

Definitely GP just in case, because if it is, will need to take the anti virals within 36 hours. Doing that will really help to shorten the severity of it. Hope he's OK.

Hi everyone...quick update. We think DH has definitely got shingles... but THANKS TO YOU I got him to the doctor this morning and he has taken anti virals - hopefully in time. Thank you so much.

So glad he's got the antivirals. They should make a big difference to how it progresses. It's still normal to feel 'off' for a while though even if you do take them in time so wouldn't worry if DH feels bit under the weather for up to a month. Hope he's soon better.

Thanks bullet... That's really good to know..x

Really glad he's got the anti virals, - time makes a huge difference to how effective they are, and it sounds as if it's been caught early - I'm so pleased you managed to bundle him off to the GP

Couple of tips to possibly make life a little more comfortable, - it hurts more if you get hot, so keeping cool, or having a wrapped ice pack to put on the area helps. Soft cotton t-shirts worn inside out (so seams don't scratch are good if it is on his torso.

If the pain gets v. bad - ask the GP for stronger pain killers, it varies from person to person, but it can get very painful (I take amytriptiline which deals with the nerve pain)

Also because you end to concentrate on the rash and the pain, its easy to forget that shingles is a rather nasty virus and will often make you feel quite unwell, he might well feel tired and generally grotty for a week or so.

Hope he makes a good quick recovery, and the anti virals kick in asap

Kurri that's fantastic advice. Thank you. Will show him your post . Hugely grateful to you x