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Anyone had Shingles on their face/head?

Posted , 79 users are following.

Schumacher13
Schumacher13

I was diagnosed as having Shingles on Friday at the doctors. I started itching on my forehead Tues night and by the next day my forehead had all red marks on it? I didn't realise you can get shingles on your face? 

I have had horrible pain on/off since, swelling on my eyebrow and jawline near my ears?

Anyone else had this? How long will it last? Also should I be off work with it?

Appeciate any advice please

8 likes, 309 replies

309 Replies

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  • tania_ouch
    tania_ouch Schumacher13

    Posted

    I just got diagnosed today (Tues) - on my head and ear.  I had it 15 years ago on my face - that was before the anti-virals.  Back then, it lasted for about 6 weeks and it was just horrible.  I am hoping this round is better.  Not sure what will become of my hair when it hurts too much to brush it!  Any tips for dealing with this on the scalp would be much appreciated from those farther along.  My rash hasn't come out yet.
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 tania_ouch

      Posted

      Please Tania, if your physician doesn't want to give you strong ie opioid pain pills, change your doctor.

      Merry Juliana 😊

    • hnybny
      hnybny tania_ouch

      Posted

      Merry is so right!  You need to get on something strong enough to help with that pain!  This is my 4th go around with Shingles.  This time I did not get the rash or blisters.  Just the pain.  Just so you know, you may not break out.  Hang in there!  Get some rest and hopefully something for the pain!

       

    • tania_ouch
      tania_ouch Merry19451

      Posted

      Got it Merry!  Just havent used it yet!  As soon as I need it I will!
    • tania_ouch
      tania_ouch hnybny

      Posted

      The pain isn't yet unbearable - maybe it won't be?  (Hoping!)  But I do have Vicodin if I need it!  The doc gave me a bunch.  No rash yet either.  Maybe that won't happen either.  Fingers crossed!
    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 tania_ouch

      Posted

      Well Miss Ouch, and i do love the name...I hope you don't! I'm glad he gave you a Narcotic. Some physicians don't give anything, even though neuropathic pain is known to be the worst there is.

      Merry Juliana

  • Thameslass
    Thameslass Schumacher13

    Posted

    It was good to find this discussion as I was diagnosed with Shingles yesterday (Tuesday).

    I had an itchy scalp and intermittent headaches last week, but then on Saturday I noticed a pimple on my forehead which by the evening had spread to a rash down to my right eyelid. Unfortunately I couldn't get the appointment with my GP till yesterday, but he prescribed Aciclovir straightaway.

    I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself at the moment (not helped by when I look in the mirror!), so it's nice to know that others understand.

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Thameslass

      Posted

      Dear Thameslass,

      I am so sorry for your suffering!

      Hopefully, you were prescried Opioids for the excruciating pain, as well. Have you had any issues with your vision? Blurred or double vision? Dry or itchy eyes. I get Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 20 years. I also have had Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in my right eye twice. I healed nicely with that as well. If your eye is involved, you need to see an ophthalmologist immediately!...If you have agonizing pain, demand appropriate Opioids for the pain. There is no need to suffer. Shingles is one of the most excruciating conditions known to man.

      Please let me know how I can help you.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • Thameslass
      Thameslass Merry19451

      Posted

      Dear Merry Juliana,

      Thank you so much for your kind words!

      I've now just completed 4 days of Aciclovir, and I'm feeling a lot better than when I first posted, even though my face still looks as if I've been in a boxing match with the red patch of scabs above my nose.

      I find that the pain tends to be worse in the evenings (my GP didn't give me opioids but did tell me which painkillers were best) -  I'm writing this in the morning when I feel at my best and there's none of that 'stabbing in my right temple' happening.

      When I go to bed, the right side of my head is very sensitive if it touches the pillow - I seem to feel every feather inside. I tried putting just an extra couple of pillowcases (folded) on top, but I could then feel every seam, but I think I've got that problem solved now using four (unfolded).

      I don't think the shingles has affected my vision at all, but I will get that checked out if I have any problems.

      Thanks again.

      Janice

       

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 Thameslass

      Posted

      Dear Janice,

      As I have recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles every three to five weeks in my right ear for the last 20 years, I couldn't survive without the Opioids. I use them for 3 to 5 days, but the pain is so severe, I am also on Topamax, an anticonvulsant, and Auralgon, an ear drop which contains Benzocaine to numb the ear drum.

      I also had Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus twice in my right eye...talk about fun with the ear Zoster-Shingles at the same time. If you are in severe pain, ask your physician for Opioids. Herpes Zoster-Shingles is one of the most excruciating conditions known to man. You shouldn't have to suffer. Physicians are supposed to alleviate suffering. The condition in which the mildest stimulus causes severe pain is called allodynia, by the way.( ie the feathers and seams causing more pain)

      My Best Wishes to You through this difficult time.

      Let me know how else I can help you. Usually, if you start the antivirals immediately, the pain becomes less intense and the episode shorter in duration.

      Merry Juliana

  • carperkids
    carperkids Schumacher13

    Posted

    I'm very grateful I found your stories/comments and expertise here! Last night, I had a very painful episode because of my skull shingles. My physician @UCLA diagnosed shingles on my R skull a few months ago & I sort of ignored her until last night excruciating pain. I'm a healthy semi retired woman and never heard of shingles other than my father in law had painful shingles 40 yrs. ago on his waistline & back. Still I have been very ignorant about shingles until recently when I've read more about it.

    Last night, out of the blue the pain on the R side of my skull was excruciating. I could hardly put my head on the pillows because the pain is like if I I've gotten stung by a bee in different spots. I dislike to take any medications & go for natural healing all the time, but I took 1/2 a benadryl last night that usually knocks me down. Still I could sleep only on my L side, but woke up with terrible pain. This AM I took an aspirin yet the pain is still alive. I might end up with a stronger medication today and will see if it helps to try 1 spoon of baking soda in a glass of water that for me takes away any muscular pain and other ailments.

    Tomorrow, I'll have the shingles vaccine prescribed by my doctor a few months ago. I wonder if it's good to do it while the shingles flared up so badly last night and still today. Should I wait for the vaccine until this pain diminishes? I'll ask my doc too but any of your wise comments would be appreciated!

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 carperkids

      Posted

      Dear Carperkids,

      The vaccine will not help you currently. Although you believe in natural healing, this time, I would head straight to your MD and get on antivirals. These will attenuate or lessen the pain and course of the Herpes Zoster-Shingles that you are experiencing. Herpes Zoster-Shingles is one of the most excruciating painful conditions of man. I have had Herpes Zoster Oticus in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 20 years. I take Opioids for three to five days each episode plus an anticonvulsant called Topamax. I use Auralgon ear drops which has Benzocaine, a numbing medication in my right ear. Only that way do I have a quality of life and can function. A dreaded complication of Herpes Zoster-Shingles is post herpetic neuralgia or PHN, in which the current pain you have stays for over a month, sometimes lasting years. The longer a patient gas the pain, the more likely that the patient is to suffer from PHN. I strongly urge you to see a medical physician for this disease. I am sympathetic to using natural healing, but in this case, please consider the antivirals and strong analgesics to break the cycle of horrendous agonizing pain.

      Let me know how you do.

      I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

    • carperkids
      carperkids Merry19451

      Posted

      Thanks Merry Juliana, I trust your advice. One has to do what one has to do... I'll see my doctor tomorrow.

      My R side scalp/ skull is not that itchy, just painful with a burning sensation. I've noticed my R ear seems inflamed but no pain there at all...I'm surprised at the inflammation, though. Is your ear itchy or just painful?

      I'm at awe with this discovery of how bad shingles can be.

      Thanks again.

  • adam70524
    adam70524 Schumacher13

    Posted

    Hi I am so glad to have found this thread as I didnt know until I was diagnosed 5 days ago with shingles on my right forehead after discovering lumps and bad headaches. My doctor prescribed Aciclovir as most others here but also Co-amoxiclav penicillin, has anybody else had this too. I am also taking Co-codamol for the pain, a concoction of about 15 pils a day as the penicillin is 5 times a day on top of the aciclovir at 3 times. mine doesnt seem to be spreading at all but my right eye sems a bit sensitive...should i go for an opthalmic review?

    Any help gratefully received. I am a healthy 44 year old male by the way but self employed so difficult to take time off work.

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 adam70524

      Posted

      Hi Adam,

      I am so sorry for your suffering. The head can be excruciating place for Herpes Zoster-Shingles. If the rash or swelling seems to affect your eye or vision at all, please see an ophthalmologist immediately! As the headaches are agonizing and the cocodamol might not relieve the severe headache, if so, see your physician for stronger analgesics. You also might experience other symptoms with the Herpes Zoster-Shingles as you have a viremia or virus circulating in your body. These symptoms include low grade fever, sweating, chills, aches and pains, malaise, weakness, photophobia, fatigue, and exhaustion. The fatigue and exhaustion can last months after the pain and rash subside. It is important to have excellent pain control as the feared complication of post herpetic neuralgia or PHN usually develops when pain is not well controlled in the acute phase of the disease.

      Please let me know how I can help you. I am a nurse practitioner in the States. I have had Herpes Zoster Oticus in my right ear every three to five weeks for the last 20 years.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

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