What is this rash

[TheTruthAndTheWell]

I've had this rash for 3 days, it slowly increased in size over the list 72 hous. It extends beyond where you can see in the photo to the back of my shoulder and up my neck.

It's not really itchy but it's really hot, it's painful, and very tender to touch.

I'm already on 2 types of antihistamine a day as my body tends to overreact to the world on a good day! So this is what it looks like when taking antihistamine.

First photo yesterday morning, second one just now.

I'll go and see a pharmacist later today, wondered if anyone had any thoughts?

Possibly shingles? If it is get some anti viral tablets asap to calm it down. A one sided burning rash makes me query shingles.....Good luck. X

@TeabagsGalore that's interesting I hadn't thought of that, i also have some numbness and tingling in my neck and arm on that side, just wrote it off as a trapped nerve.

Shingles my first thought too. I had it a couple of years ago. Very painful. Get to GP asap. If it is shingles the sooner you get meds the better.

Hi @TheTruthAndTheWell . Is it on both sides of your body? If so it’s unlikely to be shingles but no harm showing to a pharmacist/gp.

pics aren’t very clear but if those are blisters could be pompholyx or possibly SCLE. Worth taking pics and sending to the gp.

@AllyMacbealmyarse

Just on one side which is really weird

Ohhhh I too reckon shingles. Sore. Had it last year very similar. Get to a gp. Or maybe a pharmacist can treat.

Yep, I’d say shingles. One sided, hot and painful to touch. Will start to blister.

Local pharmacy sorted antivirals immediately and paracetamol helped.

I was going to say shingles, as it’s always shingles and then saw the photo and changed my mind. Looks to be covering too big an area but it could be, especially if it tingles.

On your 2nd photo some of the rash higher up has slight small blisters on it. It's really suggestive of shingles along with the sensory symptoms. Pharmacy can give aciclivir.

Update:

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. I hadn't even considered shingles.

Anyway walked into pharmacy and the assistant said straight away that looks like Shingles! I've seen the pharmacist now and am waiting for a prescription for antivirals.

I'm in the UK and have to said the experience using pharmacy first has been great. Pleased I did this rather than wait for next week to see a GP.

Great news. FYI being one sided is a strong indication of shingles as virus is dormant in a spinal nerve so tracks along the nerve route, hence one sided.

Shingles is miserable, take care and hope you feel better soon.