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Original poster

Prickly feeling on left cheek (face) - shingles or dental problems?

19 replies

wonderingagain · 08/05/2013 11:14

I have bad teeth, particularly on that side but it's being managed by a good dentist over time and temporary fillings are in place.

Had this for about 3 months, it comes and goes but I always thought it was dental. Any ideas?

Come to think of it when it first appeared I broke out in spots all over my face but it was diagnosed as being rosacea! Probably is shingles isn't it? Bloody doctors. They all seem to be about 16 these days.

OP posts:

Original poster

wonderingagain · 08/05/2013 15:26

I know it's boring, but

OP posts:

narmada · 08/05/2013 15:34

Deffo sounds like it might be shingles -sorry. You can get antivirals to shift it quicker and lessen the after-effects.

Original poster

wonderingagain · 08/05/2013 18:40

It was months ago that I had the rash and the pox, I guess that it would be too late for the anti-virals now?

OP posts:

narmada · 08/05/2013 18:53

It might be the post-herpetic neuralgia causing the pain? That sometimes follows shingles. In which case yes I think it's too late for the antivirals.

Original poster

wonderingagain · 08/05/2013 19:02

No wonder I was wiped out for three days with a temperature. I thought it was a tooth infection. I wonder if I can get a blood test to check whether that was shingles - I understand the virus stays in the body.

It was also following two bereavements with a lot of family fallout and stress.

OP posts:

lisaro · 08/05/2013 19:07

I've had that twice when I've had a viral infection and been run down. It wasn't shingles, just a symptom of my illness.

ParsingFancy · 08/05/2013 19:09

It does sound like shingles, and what's more shingles in that nerve can cause permanent damage to the eye.

Do have a choice to see a doctor other than the one who said it was rosacea? If you think the tingling is developing into another attack (and the prickling does precede the spots), get thee to doctor ASAP. The earlier the anti-virals are taken, the better the outcome.

Original poster

wonderingagain · 08/05/2013 20:06

Thanks Parsing. The doctor was lovely, nicer than many, but she did seem to be about 17.

OP posts:

morethanpotatoprints · 08/05/2013 20:09

Could it be slapped cheek. Theres loads of that about atm, hadn't heard of it for ages until recently.

Original poster

wonderingagain · 08/05/2013 20:12

I thought that was a kids thing - also the cheek isn't red. The prickling is getting annoying now. Think I'll go to the docs tomorrow.

OP posts:

cocolepew · 08/05/2013 20:12

It could be post herpetic neuralgia, neuralgia or a type of migraine.
Shingles would have been like a blister.

Original poster

wonderingagain · 08/05/2013 20:14

When I had the rash it was just like chickenpox except much itchier, I literally wanted to rip my face off. It was mostly on one side and around the eye.

OP posts:

cocolepew · 08/05/2013 20:20

There's not much can be done after you have had shingles, the first 72 hours you can get anti virals but that's it.

If it continues to be sore you can get mild doses of anti depressents to help.

Mine glares up in the cold or if I'm tired or run down.

ParsingFancy · 08/05/2013 21:11

I've certainly been given anti-virals for subsequent attacks - but it's hard to decide whether it's a fresh outbreak or just lingering neuralgia (until it blisters, of course).

Shingles will be one side only, as it tracks the nerve, which doesn't cross the central line.

I have a scarred retina from the first bout, when I didn't like to bother the doctor for days. Since then various doctors have said, "Don't muck about when it's your eye, we'd rather be careful."

gingeroots · 09/05/2013 10:28

I'd treat it seriously ,go to the GP .

Post herpetic ( however spelt ) can be very nasty . Best help my mum got was from pain clinic ,but it can be a lengthy process getting right relief and appointment so you should IMO start ball rolling at GP's .

And don't be fobbed off .

Maybe go back to dentist as well ? Cover all bases ?

I had 18 months backwards and forwards to dentists with is it tooth or sinuses . I know it's tricky and they are often connected but wish I'd pushed for specialist xray early than I did as showed clearly root decay under crown was problem .

Good luck ,hope you get it sorted .

Original poster

wonderingagain · 10/05/2013 10:20

Thanks gingeroots. I wonder if it were a dental issue I would be getting the prickliness? There's no pain.

OP posts:

gingeroots · 10/05/2013 16:38

It's really hard with teeth/mouth /face issues isn't it ?

And especially since teeth affect the sinuses and vice versa .

I suppose if it were shingles it would have developed into a blistery rash by now . Maybe a nerve is irritated /inflamed by the teeth ?

Back to dentist ?Maybe x rays could reveal more ?

Original poster

wonderingagain · 11/05/2013 08:01

I have had Dental xrays since the problem started. I also had the blisters but only the first time. I wonder if there is a blood test for shingles?

OP posts:

gingeroots · 11/05/2013 09:13

Might be worth asking GP ...

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