From my study over this evening with dear Dr Google, I reckon I have a mild case of shingles. I am on high dose steroids, so increased risk of it, but I think i became aware of mild rash (no more than a few blisters on one arm, around elbow bend) about Sat or Sunday. Because it's so mild, (only a vague hot pain with at present a line of only 3 or 4 blisters), I didn't really twig till tonight. i've been feeling crap, headachey and mildly fluish, but that kind of goes with the illness I have anyway. So i've been a bit slow to diagnose.
My questions are: If it doesn't get worse, do i need ot see a doctor? it is so inconsequential, I feel it's quite trivial really. What might happen in the future though? Will I be prone ot further attacks? Will this be elsewhere in my body or always along the same nerve line? If this is as bad as it gets, then I feel I've been very lucky really.
I reckon I am too late for antivirals, and it seems from the reading I've been doing the steroids I am on may have helped reduce the attack. Which seems a little perverse in the cirumstances. But, hey, i am not complaining!
I am aware of the risk to others. I do know all the family who are living here have had a decent dose of chickenpox, so are immune. I have a friend who is immunosuppressed and will speak to her about whether she's had chickenpox. Luckily, the cold weather means my lesion is covered up anyway. Anything else to consider?