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Can shingles be on your whole face?

Posted , 4 users are following.

tjlittles
tjlittles

I was diagnosed with shingles last  week about 5 days after my rash appeared. Monday the rash was on the right side of my face *the same as my other rashes) so yesterday went to the eye doctor and said yes it was shingles and gave me an Rx for just incase.  This morning it looks as if I have the rash over other areas on the left side of my face.  Wondered if that was actually possible.  Thanks for your input

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 tjlittles

    Posted

    I am so sorry you are ill. Shingles does not cross the midline of your body, unless you are exceptionally immunocompromised and extremely ill. As you mentioned other rashes, I believe you most likely have been misdiagnosed.

    Shingles begins with flu-like symptoms, joint and muscle aches, headache, chills and sweats. The symptoms are followed by crops of vesicles-blisters appearing on a red base. These crust over. These vesicles-blisters are contagious when they break. and occur only on one side of the body. You can only get shingles-zoster if you had chickenpox previously. Usually, shingles causes pain, EXTREME PAIN, with occasional mild itching.

    May I ask how old are you?

    Do you have Lupus, Cancer,Psoriasis, ITP, Rheumatoid arthritis? Are you on corticosteroids ie Prednisone Medrol Pack?

    Is this rash painfu? How did your rash present? What does it look like?

    What medications are you taking, and did you have any dose increase or start a new medication? Where exactly are your rashes and what are the accompanying symptoms?

    I hope this helps..

    I am a Nurse Practitioner, Stateside and also have recurrent Herpes Zoster Oticus-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 19 years.

    Merry Juliana

  • ellis_emmerson
    ellis_emmerson tjlittles

    Posted

    Hi

    i got shingles for the first time under my boob.within days I then got an eruption which looked the same to me across my chin.as it crossed both sides I was told it wasn't the shingles virus but nevertheless a herpes form of virus and was told to treat it the same and wasn't allowed to work til it cleared.

    i still get flare ups on my chin but it hasn't reappeared under my boob.

  • Ellie1943
    Ellie1943 tjlittles

    Posted

    You should definitely see a GP again, not just an eye doc! I've had shingles on my scalp and was diagnosed when it also appeared on my right shoulder/upper arm then on my wrist and hand, same side. I'm 72. It cannot be diagnosed properly unless you see the doctor as soon as possible. You may still be able to get antiviral pills to help it clear up quicker with any luck. It can linger and then you can have post herpetic neuralgia (HPN), which can last some time. Keep in touch with us on here. Best wishes Ellie

     

  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 tjlittles

    Posted

    Did the eye doc due a stain on your eye to diagnose the disease, or scrape some of the vesicles-blisters to obtain the contents to send it off to a lab?

    Ellie is correct in that you should see an internist to get it properly diagnosed and treated.

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