raised red itchy rash and now my glands are swollen - should I worry?

[ziptoes]

I'm 26 weeks pregnant. For a week or so I've had a raised red rash behind my ear. It's about the size of 2 50p pieces, and started out as lumps that looked like 5 or 6 mosquito bites all together and now looks like spots. Hard to see as it's behind my ear, but someone said it looked like psoriasis, which I've never head before. I now have a similar patch on my shoulder, and the one behind my neck is getting increasingly angry and red. This morning I think my glands are swollen. I feel OK, apart from being a bit jet lagged - I'm on a work trip to the US until I get home on Friday morning. The baby is jiggling just as much as normal.

Is this one of those odd hormonal pregnancy things, or should I be worried? I'm not keen on going to a doctor here in the US, but my GP at home couldn't get me an appointment until monday.

If you are on a work trip then you should have medical insurance and I think you should go to the doctor. It could be an infected bite or infected rash of some sort.

If I don't actually feel bad, and it's just a sore and itchy is there any chance of damage to the baby? If it's infected will it go away on it's own?

I'm beginning to think you're right, but I'm not a fan of US doctors (they tend to overprescribe IMHO.

Yes I know US doctors tend to be very thorough, but I would rather have that then the NHS and I don't think you should wait a few more days because then it could get worse just in time for your flight. I do think it's better that you see a doctor now. You don't want to risk it getting worse on the flight.

OK, you've convinced me. I'll speak to the local guys this evening about finding a doctor.
Thanks

Did you go to the doctor?

Turns out it's shingles. Nothing they can do as they can only give anti-virals two days after the rash appears. Apparently as I'm out of the first trimester, there's no risk to the baby. Phew.

I'm still itchy, which is annoying, and the rashy patches are a wee bit sore. Just have to ride it out.

Any idea what I can do to relieve the itching?