Could it be shingles (mild)?

[KatieLatie]

I have a palm sized patch of quite dark rash (wouldn't call it "red", but it is pretty dark pink) immediately abovr my left hip. It is irregular bumps - not a small, fine regular rash. It is itchy and rather ouchy in a tingly way if scratched. Have had it 36/48 hours. No other visible rash, but area above right hip bone and head are similarly itchy/ouchy. Have been feeling very tired the past few days, but it is running up to Christmas and DS (5) has been on school holidays a week...

I have had chickenpox and have had shingles at least twice before (at 10 and 13 - ridiculously young, but they were verified by a specialist doctor). I am 41 now - so it has been a while. I do know/remember that shingles gets weaker each time.

I mostly feel fine on myself (tiredness has mainly subsided). My worries, if this is shingles, are:

• currently TTC (although have been TTC DC2 for 4 years, so would probably take a miracle). Am about 2/3 days DPO at the moment.
  
• we are going to stay with in-laws on 27th December. Aged 65, 71 and 92. None have had chickenpox. We are travelling from the UK to California - so not an easy trip to cancel. DH and DS have both already had chickenpox.

[PeasOnEarth]

You can get it on both sides. There areany myths about it though. I've had bilateral shingles too - miserable but still here to tell the tale.

[PeasOnEarth]

Looks allergicky to me - try antihistamines and e45 or similar and see if it settles. Look up 'dermatomes' - you'd expect to see shingles in one of these, from your description maybe T12 or L1 - but it sounds like the distribution isn't quite right.
Definitely reasonable to see a GP if worse over the next 48hrs prior to such an important trip

[Yseulte]

I was also told you can't get a shingles rash on on both sides, but it my case that was not true.

[Yseulte]

It could be the beginning of shingles, it entirely depends how it develops. But it doesn't really look like it.

Right now it looks more like an allergy, particularly given your head is also itching, or it could be Pityriasis Rosea. (Although the latter generally has more spaced out spots).

[redannie118]

Hi op I had shingles a few months ago and was told you cant get it on two opposite sides of the body at the same time. Hope that helps

[KatieLatie]

Thanks - hopefully it isn't then. Not scabby yet, very tingly though.

No changes to anything (always use the same washing stuff - fairy). Can't think of anything new/different.

(Don't worry, I can never spell/type ;) )

[Doublebubblebubble]

Cant spell/type today apparently lol

[Doublebubblebubble]

That looks like an allergic reaction more (hives) have you changed fabric conditioner recently?? Shinges is far more raised/scabby

[KatieLatie]

Hopefully my photo will attach - sorry, rather blurred and crap. Don't have any distinct blisters at the monent, but do have distinct bumps.

Last time I had it it was just on my arms (bizarrely).

[bruffin]

Mama is wrong, my shingles was just a small patch of just 12 spots on my buttock,

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

That was dds rash.

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

I dunno.

But dd has had shingles and apparantly even though it is contagious it's very hard to catch. Someone needs to get the fluid from the blisters into their system. Dr told me that if I rubbed dds rash and then put my fingers in my mouth I might catch it. But that if her rash was covered by clothing (hers was on her hip) and we avoided touching and washed hands after if we did touch it would be fine.

So I wouldn't worry about spreading it. Might be worth going to OOH today to get checked, antivirals need to be started within 72 hours to have an effect.

[Doublebubblebubble]

What mama said. Doesn't sound shingles-y at all x

[MamaYoyo]

It doesn't sound like shingles. Shingles usually affects a band of skin around one side of the body - a bit of skin supplied by one nerve. So it shouldn't be a patch at all. If it is on both sides it would be very serious. You would be very ill.
Hope that helps.

[Tuiles]

It sounds quite likely. I'd get yourself a GP appointment and see if antivirals will help. I think the only contagion risk with shingles is direct contact with the lesions can cause chickenpox.