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Original poster

Son's rash. What is it?

24 replies

middleager · 15/09/2022 16:51

My 16 year old son has had a painful itchy rash for days, now spread from his back to abdomen.

I took him to the GP, but he waited in the car, as I was worried it might be something even more
contagious like Monkepox.

The on call doctor, who is fairly young, came to look at the pictures. Said he thought it might be Shingles. He was Googling a fair bit and did not sound convincing. Couldn't answer my questions easily like "is it contagious? Can he go to school?" GP said he couldn't rule out Monkeypox, and booked son in for swabs tomorrow. He prescribed antivirals.

In the car my son then casually mentioned someone in his class has ringworm.

In short, I'm wondering if shingles is common in 16 year olds and if I should be worried about Monkeypox.

OP posts:

Ivedonethisthreetimesalready · 15/09/2022 17:00

Looks like Shingles to me (but no Dr) that is what mine looked like.

It itched first and then broke out into a very similar rash.

Has he been given antivirals?

My son also had shingles when he was 18.

Original poster

middleager · 15/09/2022 17:47

Thanks - yes, we have been given them today. I guess I'm used to Shingles being associated with older people, and the doctor's uncertainty made me wonder..

OP posts:

IodineQueen · 15/09/2022 17:52

It isn’t ringworm… it looks like shingles. Children can get shingles too.

WeakAsIAm · 15/09/2022 17:54

Yes def shingles, see your GP shingles can be nasty.
Hope he's better soon

IodineQueen · 15/09/2022 17:55

Shingles itself isn’t contagious but the fluid from the blisters carries the varicella zoster virus which causes chicken pox in people who haven’t previously had it.

sepsisandAKI · 15/09/2022 17:55

Looks like shingles to me and in the places you’d expect following the nerves. Keep on with the anti virals and they will help with the pain.

Orla32 · 15/09/2022 17:57

Shingles. My DD had this exact same place and looked identical.

Alwayswithalacrity · 15/09/2022 17:57

My 18 y old daughter had similar but higher up on her back and was diagnosed with shingles.

BlackandJello · 15/09/2022 17:59

I had shingles as a teen, looked just like this. I would go with that.

savemeagin · 15/09/2022 18:11

That's what my singles looked like.

OnOldOlympus · 15/09/2022 18:17

Are you sure the doctor was googling, or were they in fact, using an online resource to help identify the rash? And what does how old they looked have to do with anything?

Original poster

middleager · 15/09/2022 18:25

OnOldOlympus · 15/09/2022 18:17

Are you sure the doctor was googling, or were they in fact, using an online resource to help identify the rash? And what does how old they looked have to do with anything?

No, I'm not sure, so that would make sense it was all rather rushed.
His age - I guess it's because I don't know anybody around us his age who's had it.

OP posts:

JustDanceAddict · 15/09/2022 18:32

My DS had shingles aged 15 so younger people can get them. I guessed straight away and took him to GP who prescribed anti virals.
They were on his torso and v itchy.

YouBoggleMyMind · 15/09/2022 18:36

Another vote for shingles

InsanityOf2020 · 15/09/2022 18:41

I vote shingles too, the way it tracks the nerves and the tell tale blisters give it away. When my son had shingles the school told me to keep him off but i cant remember how long for. Like pp said its spreads the virus if the blisters are bursting and wet

sepsisandAKI · 15/09/2022 19:55

You can cover the blisters if still weeping and go to school.

MarigoldPetals · 15/09/2022 20:01

Children can most definitely get shingles!
My DD had it age 8 and my nephew had it age 9. You just have to have had chicken pix previously then you can develop shingles.

Madamecastafiore · 15/09/2022 20:07

Yes it does look like shingles. It can be extremely debilitating and really knock you for six. So if he's tired let him rest as much as possible.

Both myself and DD were given anti virals but she was a teenager. I'm not sure they give them to kids. Ours weren't itchy at all just uncomfortable so I gave her portion and that did seem to help.

bloodywhitecat · 15/09/2022 20:14

DS had shingles at 10, it looked just like that.

ivegotthisyeah · 15/09/2022 20:23

Defo shingles I have just had it! Is it on
One side of his body? Antibiotics need to be taken fairly soon in order to work or it can drag out. Very sore and physically draining on the body tiredness etc. I have had it three times and they still won't give me the vaccine!

Pinkychilla · 15/09/2022 20:26

When I had shingles it looked exactly like
this! Hope he gets better soon

Original poster

middleager · 15/09/2022 20:59

ivegotthisyeah · 15/09/2022 20:23

Yes, they are the same side front and back.

OP posts:

Original poster

middleager · 15/09/2022 21:00

Thanks all for the advice.
He's feeling OK in himself, we've covered the blisters and will check him in the morning.
I didn't realise it was so prevalent until reading the replies.

OP posts:

Mallowmarshmallow · 15/09/2022 21:25

Another vote for shingles! My daughter randomly had it on her neck last year and it looked exactly like your son's.

I was also surprised at her having it so young (and the location on her neck not being on her trunk as you more often hear about), but upon mentioning it to a friend discovered her daughter and several other acquaintances children had also had it.

I think I read it means they're less likely to get it when they're older which can be quite serious, which was good to hear (but don't quote me on this, it could be totally wrong!)

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