Anyone had Shingles on their face/head?

Wow, parden me for honing in on the conversation, but your comment on your hair hurting...my head and hair hurt so bad, I cut it all off  myself, then had to have it shaped up and it probably is shorter than I've ever had it..like 1-2 inches. It hurt that bad. No one at my office has seen me, they'll probably think I've lost my mind.

Not that far off, actually. It's been hard.

Dear Silverback,

I am so sorry for the pain and suffering you are experiencing. Hopefully, you are on an antiviral, and also a strong analgesic, is opioid.

May I ask how old you are? Have you been immunocompromised?

As I also have Herpes Zoster-Shingles, recurrent in my right ear every 3-5 weeks for the last twenty years, I understand your pain.

You might ask your physician for the following:

1.Viscous of lidocaine Rx to be used as a gargle mouth wash. it will numb the vesicles-blisters in your mouth. You can combine this with Mylanta to soothe and coat your mouth are

2. Auralgon Rx ear drops to be used in the ear canal.. It contains benzocaine, also a numbing agent.

Use cool compresses to reduce the pain.

Rest, sleep, and rest.

Do not use Noxema on your face until all the vesicles-blisters have turned black and fallen off.

It is strange how our bodies interpret pain signals. I have had gout, and feel that Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my head has been the worst pain I have ever experienced. This includes induced labor and childbirth with pitocin, passing a kidney stone, and any post operative pain of major surgery.

I am a nurse practitioner in the States.

Please let me know how else help you.

Best wishes

Merry Juliana

Thank you Merry,

              Yes I do find it interesting how peoples bodies interpret pain. What I might find not so bad others find excritiating and visa versa. I refer to my gout only because I had 23 different gout event covering both feet, one knee and one elbow. Brutal pain for nearly 2 years is why I say I'd take this over gout. Again no way am I trying to diminish this stuff, no fun at all.

I've been letting nature take its course and the blisters have come and gone for the most part. Whereas I had intermitent pains through the array of locations described they have now all settled into pretty much constant with occasional peaks and valleys, eyes and face being most prominent in pain. I believe over the course of the next few days I'll be far enough along to apply something topical to my old blister patch. I guess I should have been more clear on that. Woudl you think Noxema or something else once the skin is clear of open or dried blisters?

Trying to get past the meds as I am not a pill advocate usually dumping them well before prescript is complete unless antibiotics or other full course programs.

Dear Silverback,

Gout can be brutal. I hope you get that treated when it strikes! Are you on a special diet, low purine, to prevent or reduce the episodes of gout? On any medications to prevent gout? You were at risk for Shingles simply by being a gout sufferer, did you know that?

If your skin is still itching, Noxema might be drying. Calamine might work better, or Aloe.

See what works for you.

Keep me posted.

Best regards

Merry Juliana

I was recently informed that gout increased my risk, after shingles set in of course. I am really struggling with a few factors that added risk and my doctor made no effort to push my insurance to cover the vaccination before age 60? I hear the next one is more effective they hope, 95%? Right now the skin itching etc. is limited but expanding som if it is nerve sensations I think?

Will check the calimine and if no imrovement might go to RX store and see what they advise, got a very good one nearby, she really advocates for her customers and will go to bat to get insurance to cover stuff. Rare.

Will try to keep you posted, off to bed.

Hi Merry,

i was reading the thread because I was diagnosed with shingles over my ear a couple of days ago and I'm on antiviral a now.  I don't know how you live with this so often but it's amazing what we all normalise.

I've had shingles on my head once before so I had an idea what was happening when the painful itch and swelling kicked off late at night. Of course at a time when there's no doctor access. The short story is that I tried  putting pure essential geranium oil on it. Pretty much out of desperation to do something. Only because it works a treat on the frequent cold sores I get around my mouth. Doesn't taste good if it gets into your mouth though. Anyway it reduced the swelling by about 2/3 in a few hours and the pain and itch aren't nearly as bad this time. Still there and it definitely doesn't take the place of going to the doctor, but it does help so I thought I'd just throw it into the mix of everyone else's hard won experience.

I hope if you give it a go it helps a bit. Cheers, Heather

 

Heather,,

As you have joined the frequent fliers club, perhaps you should get a prescription of the antiviral to take with each episode. I also use Auralgon ear drops, which numb the pain. I shall procure the essential oil of geranium and give it a try.

Thank you...

I am sorry you have Herpes Zoster-Shingles, once again.

Best regards

Merry Juliana

Do you keep a script and/ or antivirals on hand so that they're ready to go if an episode kicks off? I'm immune compromised so I do that with antibiotics and just check in with the doc the next day.

Hadn't thought of that for this situation, but sounds like a good idea.

Thanks, Heather

I keep a supply of antivirals--Famvir, actually on hand, as I have the episodes every three weeks or so. I am also immunocompromised. It is much easier that way. I also have a supply of analgesics.

You have to keep ahead of the disease and control it. Otherwise, it is going to control you.

Merry Juliana

Morning! I've read through your thread from over the year and found it helpful.

I was told yesterday, at urgent care that I have shingles. It is on the right side of my face. Swollen eye, red rash and bumps on my forehead and scalp. I'm also starting to get bump/bubbles on eyelid also. It is Labor Day today so not sure eye doc will be open, but I'll call. I can open my eye now & vision is good. Can only sleep for couple hours at a time last couple days. Shooting pain up scalp. Eyelid hurting worse because of pussy looking bumps. This is horrible! I can't go in public like this and don't know what I'm going to do about work. I can't believe what I've read of how long this lasts. I'm 44 years old/female and had chicken pox as kid. Doc put me on Valacyclovir (2 tablets 3 times day), Gabapentin (1 first day, then 2 pills day 2, 3 day 3 and so on through day 7), Prednisone (3 tablets for 3 days, then down from there) and last Zirgan gel for eyelid (couldn't get eye drops).

It started last week for me thinking I had a sinus infection/ear ache. My teeth hurt & scalp was sore to touch. I was tired, but had a very busy week. Just pushed through, but after four days a friend suggested putting a drop of lemon oil, lavender oil, & peppermint oil under my tounge to clear up sinuses. By that evening I started getting red scalp & what I thought were pimples. I later realized I had also switched my shampoo the day it all started. I thought I was having an allergic reaction to the oils. So I was surprised when doc said shingles. Do you think the oils still had something to do with this? I don't believe in coincidences. I asked the doc to give me a steroid shot anyway to give me peace of mind. I'm freaking out because I don't even really take aspirin let alone all these drugs, but I realize I'm in need right now. I'm trying to stay positive but this is depressing. Worse thing I've ever experienced due to fact it's on my face. Any help is appreciated! Thank you in advance, especially your thoughts on the oils?

Dear Krista,

First, I am so sorry you are suffering from the severe pain.

No, the oils had nothing to do with this. You used the oils in response to the severe pain you were already having. Herpes Zoster-Shingles starts out with symptoms such as headache, fever, chills and sweating, aches and pains, malaise and fatigue, photophobia. Pain in the area of the rash starts usually precedes the rash, then the vesicle-blisters form over a period of up to five days. You are infectious until the scabs form, taking up to a month after they appear.

You should not be going to work as you are sicker than you think. You have a virus circulating in your body and you need to rest. You need to see an ophthalmologist immediately! As the rash is on your eyelid, it needs the expertise of an ophthalmologist.

Also, if you are still in severe pain, that needs to be addressed by a neurologist as the individuals who have the acute pain controlled well the first month have a better chance of not getting Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN or Recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles.

I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States. I also have Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twenty years and twice in my right eye. I literally feel your pain and suffering from this devastating disease, but I also know what works best to help you.

Best wishes

Merry Juliana

Thank you very much Juliana for responding to me. Your information helps. Yes, this is a horrible experience, especially since it is on my face. I will pray for each one of us, on this blog, to be well.

Krista,

Please let me know how you are doing...As a Nurse and Nurse Practitioner, I am guilty of pushing through illnesses many times, working when I should have been caring about myself. Women think about burdening

others, to the detriment of themselves. I am now unable to work, due to this. .

Please take care of yourself... I shall be thinking of you.

Best wishes

Merry Juliana

I was also diagnosed on Labor Day.  Went to ER facility and received Anticyclovir, Prednisone and Tylenol w/codeine.  Told to get to an opthamologist asap because the left eye was swollen and red.  Next day the opthamologist prescribed a prednisone eye drop.  I will see him again Monday.  I have to work - work in retail of all things and have been doing my best to conceal the scabbing over spots with bandaid and cosmetics.  Keeping the tylenol at bay until bedtime, and maybe one during the day.  Today, the pain woke me up.  Thanks for the wealth of knowledge.  I was concerned because I patted a 4 month old babe on the cheeks on Saturday before being diagnosed on Monday.  The mom checked in with her pediatrition who said she should have no problems, but watch her for about a month.  I am dismayed to learn of the ongoing and recurring aspect of this virus!  I had sensitivity on my forehead for a week before it broke out and did not have a clue it could be Shingles.  No spots, no lump, no nothing until Sunday and then my forehead had a huge bump then the tender spot broke out in blisters and my eye got so red, a customer first suggested Shingles.  I  will keep watching for further updates....the pharmacist recommended the vaccine, after this bout runs its course.  Said it should lessen the severity of the virus if and when it comes back again.

 

Hi Paula,

First, I am so sorry for your pain and suffering. As you have Herpes Zoster-Shingles in your eye, it is one of the most difficult sites as the eye is a complex organ.

If at all possible, I encourage you to rest as much as possible as you have a serious viral disease. You are contagious to the public until the vesicle-blisters have scabbed over. Even your tears contain viral particles.

How severe is the pain, currently?

Hopefully the codeine is strong enough to counter the pain of shingles. If not, please ask for something stronger. V. If pain is not well controlled the first month of the Herpes Zoster-Shingles episode, the risk is much greater to acquire Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN. The eye (and ear) are the two worst sites to have Herpes Zoster-Shingles, as they are sensory organs in the face with many more pain receptors. The recovery, therefore, can take longer.

I have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twenty years and twice in my right eye.

I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

It takes up to a month for the vesicles-blisters to scab over after they appear. Once they have scabbed over, you are not considered contagious.

You probably had some of the following symptoms prior to the pain, then rash:

Headache, fever, chills and sweating,aches and pains, photophobia, malaise, fatigue.

Expect the fatigue to remain, sometimes for months afterwards. Don't expect to power through this illness. When your body tells you to sleep, go to bed...take a nap....

Please let me know how I can help you.

There is a new vaccine for shingles called Shingrex by Glaxo-Smith-Kline being presented to the FDA this year for approval. It has a 93-97% efficacy compared to the old vaccine Zostavax's 37-51%efficacy.

Zostavax really hasn't helped many of us on this site.

Best wishes

Merry Juliana

OMG I'm so happy I found this website.  

Today I was diagnoised with shingles.  I went to the doctor with the symptoms of headache for over a week, tingling/pins & needles on top of head, stabbing feeling at times and itching.  I thought I had a breakout from putting Vicks over my eyebrow and temple to ease some of the pain.  I was shocked when the doctors said shingles.  I was immeditely referred to an opthamologist and happy to say all is well within the eye.  I was prescribed valacyclovir and was told to continue taking 600mg of ibuprofen every 4hrs and continue with the hydrocodone-acetaminophen at night (which was prescribed to me for a tooth extraction a year ago), as last night I took it before bed and it was the first time the headache subsided, or maybe just made me pass out.  

About an hour after taking the avalacyclovir earlier, I became lightheaded and needed rest.  

So I will see what tomorrow brings.  I am suppose to return to work after just being on a week's vacation ... not sure I will be able to do it.

What a source of knowledge here.  I am grateful and wish you all good health.  Will be back with updates and see how everyone else is doing.

Cheers, Susan

I was diagnosed with shingles on my head. It wasn't that bad, 2 big spots on my forehead and a few small spots on the right side of my head. Didn't itch much, only real pain was the gland near my ear made a small lump and was tender. Taking Acyclovir and Dexamethasone. One of them is making me have bad heartburn and a slight reaction to my beta blocker. Feel fine except fatigued some. I could still go fishing if I had too lol. Started putting calamine and the rash is almost gone. It lasted about a week. The dr. Said to watch that it doesn't spread near my eyes, it hasn't so far. Didn't need any pain killers since the rash is more of a bother than painful. Eat foods that will boost your immune system and maybe start a regime of immune vitamins since this is the cause of the virus reoccurring once you've had Chicken Pox. Also they have certain foods that boost your immune, google them. 

Dont panic, it's life. Just get better and it will be over soon. 

Hi Merry Juliana. I'm a 46yo RN. I had my first case of shingles at 18. I'm currently dealing with my second case on my face in the past year. My medical hx is extensive with 26 surgeries for one thing or another and I also have severe depression. Add in chronic pain from other problems  and I have a lot going on. I started researching and found this site. Ive spent the past few hours reading your comments and feel the need to tell you that the world needs more people like you! The information you give is spot on and your helping many people. I appreciate all the time you've spent and wish there was a way to contact you outside of the public forum. I have some medication issues that are too much to discuss publicly so I'll continue to research for the info I need. I hope your feeling as well as can be. This is awful to have. 

Shauna,

I am sorry you are going through this. See the envelope at the top? To privately message me or anyone else without censorship or public view, click on the envelope and send it to me or whomever in the future.

I shall message you now.

Merry Juliana

Merry, Thank you for your quick response. I sent you a message. Again, thank you and everyone on this site for all of the information. The name thing brought a smile and fond memory. There are quite a few family members that have names that start with Sh. My grandfather used to say Shayla, Shauna (my cousin), Sharon, s**t, whoever you are just get over here! He couldn't keep all the names straight! I know all the "smart" phones change the spellings. Anything to take my mind off of my head pain, any kind of diversion is nice. 

Donnie, I had a huge amount Of stress in the last year.  A month ago, I was diagnosed with shingles around my left eye. I am a senior and had my shot, so was mild.  Eye ok.  But.  Same time, I fell over a suitcase, jamming my glasses into my face,  thought redness in nose was because of that.  But redness stayed, and I noticed little bumps.  3 doctors.  Varying opinions.  I asked if it could be shingles again.  Finally a doctor said it is shingles STILL. Pustules going, but nose still red.  Glass nosepiece irritating.  How long did your redness last? Now just four weeks, but should things be gone by now on face?  Wondering how long it took you.  Fatigue lifting, thank goodness.  

Cass