Please help, is this shingles?

[Sophie198643]

I’m going to call my gp tomorrow morning but in a real panic. I started off a few days ago with bad flu type symptoms, sore throat, blocked nose, terrible cough, feeling sick. I’ve been in bed for a few days and just noticed an incredibly itchy and sore rash at the back of my calf. Does anyone know if this could be shingles?

it looks like urticaria (hives). I’d take an antihistamine and see how it is.

No, that’s a bunch of hives. Take antihistamines and if you have a cream like hydrocortisone or anthisan, put that on it. Drink plenty of water. A bag of frozen peas might give relief from the itching too.

Doesn't look like shingles to me. (Ive had them twice) More hives/allergy. Any other symptoms?

I had this recently on my arms when I had the flu, with similar symptoms to yours. I.also had a rash with Covid too.

As PP have said, it's most likely hives triggered by the virus.

Yeah I think its hives. My daughter gets them.regularly when in contacts with cats/dogs .

But if youre run down you can them too.

I agree - more like an allergic reaction rather than shingles. Both my Mum and MIL have had it and the rash looked nothing like your picture.

Shingles hurts like hell and looks like blisters
not like that
hope you feel better soon

This does not look like shingles at all (in my non-medical opinion. I’ve simply seen a few cases of shingles).

Don‘t scratch and call the GP today (if you haven’t already).

They apparently don’t always hurt like hell.
My DH had them this winter.

He initially thought he was having a heart attack, which was obviously incredibly scary (and when he was confirmed to be healthy we were wondering whether it was a panic attack, which he had never experienced before).

But when the shingles popped up / became visible they were „just“ itchy. Pretty bad itch for about 2 days but he never really seemed to suffer, tbh. Mostly enjoyed being banned from work 😅

(our doctor confirmed that it was indeed shingels. I expected him to be much worse as well tbh…).