Infected face

[Radicalcat]

Ok tad dramatic title.
What is this?
I woke up with lump type spots on my jawline going up to my ear on Sunday, and it’s got gradually worse.
The most painful is the swelling (in the green circle) the lumps are getting heads on them.
Ive been applying hot compresses a few times a day.
The nurse has prescribed antibiotics today and encouraged steroid cream. But she had no idea what it could be, she looked disgusted though and disinterested.

Any photo ?

Could it be shingles?

Photo is under review. Hopefully it’ll be approved soon.

I’d not thought of that. I’m gonna go google what they look like

Oooh just seen your photo. I reckon it's shingles. Looks just like when I had it and similar place too. You'll need to call GP in the morning I think.

Also to say looks like your glands are up - that's the swelling in the green circle - sure sign of shingles too.

When I had shingles it looked very similar to this. Do you feel unwell at all?

Ah fuck.
I have a slight sore throat and earache.
but presumed earache was because my jaw is so bloody sore and kids have had sore throats all half term.
I have no fever or chills.

wouldn’t I have the tiny blisters?

My blisters developed about 4 or 5 days after the initial rash developed.

A heads up - don’t use the steroid cream on the rash until someone confirms its definitely not shingles. Topical steroids work by lowering immune response which is what is needed for a skin flare, however with something like shingles it can lower the bodies natural response and make it a lot worse.

Yes it looks like shingles. You really need anti viral meds asap. You can buy topical cream otc. You can ask pharmacist to look at it but you must cover it if out and about to protect vulnerable people you might encounter.
I am surprised at the nurse tbh.

Any further developments OP? Hope you're doing OK x

Yeah it’s shingles and prescribed antivirals but missed the 72hr mark.
They are starting to blister now, the pain in my jaw and ear is severe!

@Radicalcat Oh bless you it is very painful! Hope the meds kick in and you feel better soon. Speedy recovery x

I hope you complain about the misdiagnosis by the nurse!

This.

I’ve put my complaint in today, not only the misdiagnosis but her dismissive demeanour too.
Gp said, even if it wasn’t shingles the antibiotics she prescribed wouldn’t have been appropriate for the rash anyway.

What a horrible attitude by the nurse!

Yes I would definitely complain. If you know anything at all about shingles then it's pretty obvious that's what it is - from your first photo. I know I have had it before myself but I am not a nurse and have never seen shingles on anyone else either. Hope you're feeling a little better today x

Shingles is horrible. My Mum had it. There's a vaccine that you can get depending on age - it's a bit complicated between 65 and 70, but I think anyone over 70 can get it (it's expensive so it's being phased in).

I had it (the vaccine, not shingles) and the side-effects, while still mild, were noticeable for 3 or 4 days (shivers, pain at the site, etc), whereas I don't normally get anything from flu or Covid jabs. I choose to take this to mean that if I got the disease instead it would be very nasty. I had chickenpox (same virus) at age 30 and it was no fun at all.