Shingle?

[Unhurried]

Pretty sure my DH has shingles.
Any suggested pain relief he can take?
Should he apply anything to the rash?
Thanks in advance.

If he saw a GP he may be offered antivirals.

Nhs says this:
Treatment for shingles can include:

covering the rash with clothing or a non-adherent (non-stick) dressing to reduce the risk of other people becoming infected with chickenpox - as it's very difficult to pass the virus on to someone else if the rash is covered

painkilling medication, - such asparacetamol,ibuprofenor codeine

antiviral medication to stop the virus multiplying -although not everyone will need this

@Unhurried gp ASAP for antivirals! They don't work as well if started late and shingles can be extremely painful.

He has a GP appointment this coming Monday. Cross with myself for not insisting he go last Thursday morning when I noticed the rash had spread. One of the patches of redness has blistered (tiny blisters) and is now dried over. He's not actually in very much pain, says it feels similar to sunburn. Although he was woken up in the night with an agonising pain like being stabbed and the knife twisted in the wound! DH never ever complains when he's unwell, so this must have been massively painful, although didn't last fortunately. Thanks for advice all.

@Unhurried don't beat yourself up over it. I had a really rough time with shingles and didn't get medication until it was too late. It's really common and I thought it was a nettle rash from a walk I went on! Hope it clears up soon.

I usually use calamine lotion and painkillers. Hopefully that will help soothe it a bit.
I was told anti-virals are most effective if given within 72 hours of the rash starting so if it happens again definitely insist he goes in asap. As PP said don't beat yourself up for not making him go, last time I had it I also left t too late as even the pharmacist thought it was just insect bites! But GP will be able to help on Monday. Hope he feels better soon