Can you get shingles inside nostril?
Posted , 13 users are following.
Hi! On the 5th of October I woke up with really bad shoulder and upper back pain and a very sore nose. It felt like I had cold sores inside my nose, either side of my septum with the right side much worse and still blistered. I had a slight sore throat and tonsils were only slightly inflamed. I felt a bit run down. On the Friday, my lymph nodes were up at the back of my head both sides, lymph node on behind right ear and one in neck right side were swollen. I had an achy neck and right shoulder. GP said I was just fighting an infection. Saturday lymph node came up on right collarbone, neck swelled slightly that side as well. I had severe headache right side with flashes of pain above my right eye. I was getting hot flushes as well. Monday different GP said my lymph node in groin right side was also swollen and that there was inflammation in my right shoulder area. I forgot to mention the blister in my nose, left one has cleared up but right side it's still there and painful. After going to the GP my lymph nodes returned to normal size but I have been in considerable pain in my arm, hand (felt like carpal tunnel syndrome) and right leg around my calf area as well as right side of head, constant headaches. It feels like it's a nerve pain, intense pulsating sharp. When I visited the second GP I mentioned to him that my skin on right shoulder felt like sunburn. I also have a couple of bumps on my scalp which have been really itchy and certain areas of my scalp are very painful to the touch and can cause shooting pain down in to my neck. I have no rash that's visible, just what's in my right nostril and a couple of bumps on my head. Could this be shingles?
1 like, 14 replies
Merry19451 suzanne_31336
Posted
I am so sorry you are going through this. You can have Shingles in your nasal orifice and scalp as part of the Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V) Branch I.
You can also have more than one dermatome affected, hence the shoulder, and Herpes Zoster-Shingles can cross the midline. The burning pain you feel is typical of Herpes Zoster-Shingles, especially if it is constant, worsened by touch, clothing, etc.
The headache, aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and exhaustion are all part of Herpes Zoster-Shingles. The lesions on your scalp and nostril constitute a dermatome rash, BTW.
Unfortunately, it is rather late to start an antiviral. You should be prescribed excellent analgesics as studies have shown that those individuals with Shingles who have their pain controlled well in the first month have less risk of developing Post Herpetic Neuralgia PHN or recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles.
I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States. I have had recurrent Herpes Zoster-Shingles every three to five weeks in my right ear for the past twenty-one years and twice in my right eye.
I hope I have helped you.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
suzanne_31336 Merry19451
Posted
Hi Merry19451, thanks for replying. Sorry to read about how often you get shingles. I have had four different blood tests done on Friday, including full blood count, diabetes and not sure of the other two. I've got GP appointment this Friday to discuss results. I've had this since the beginning of October, I've seen the blisters inside my septum and they're in last stage. It's this pain in my arm, hand and headache/migraine right side and infrequent pain in my right leg below knee which I want sorting out.
colin1147 suzanne_31336
Posted
My Shingles started with what I thought was a small`zit' on the right hand side of my nose. It then blistered, and the rash spread to my forehead and cheek, and down to my mouth. The right nostril crusted up, and I think there were some small scabs inside the nostril. I had anti viral meds and an optical check over. Now the scabs are gone, but I still have a red demarcation line down my cheek - so obvious now to see where the shingles had got too. The `red' skin still feels `leathery' and tender, and I have been given Co-codamol 30/500 as a pain killer + Amitriptyline 10 mg for the nerve pain headaches - all not very effective though.
beth97678 colin1147
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amy04351 beth97678
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pregalbin aka lyrica is hard core; think twice about that
mandyReeves suzanne_31336
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I have gotten shingles 3 or 4 times since 2013 always on my left side of my head. This time it's right inside my nostril on the left and a bit outside. I was told it's impetaigo but now I doubt it. I was given doxycycline and mupirocin ointment.
colin1147 mandyReeves
Posted
My Shingles started end Sept, 2017. PHN set in after initial `scabby' phase :-( It all started with what appeared to be a `zit' on the right side of my nose. Yes it did go down to my nostril, and a millimetre or two inside it. That Nostril still feels numb :-(
Merry19451 colin1147
Posted
Yes, you certainly can have vesicle-blisters of shingles in your nostril, or any orifice, for that matter. I get them in my right throat and ear, repeatedly.
Are you having any pain or itching, now, as well as the numbness?
Do you have fatigue and exhaustion?
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
colin1147 Merry19451
Posted
Hi, Merry
Just weaning myself off Gabapentin - strangely it seemed to be raising my Blood Pressure, although that seems to be a rare event. So a bit unsure about that aspect. Also I was getting some unsteadiness on my feet.
No new blisters, they stopped last November, but I still have a tell tale red line down my right cheek, where the shingles rash was. It is still a bit pink from that line back to my nose. I still get the odd `shiver' of pain in my right cheek and right forehead.
I seem to have overcome the worst of the fatigue/exhaustion, and have been painting the hallway, but only 2 hours at a time ! Boring ....
Back on Amitrityline now, and awaiting a referral to a Pain Clinic. We shall see.
I still have a few `micro' zits, on the Shingles affected area, even now. These have a tiny, tiny amount of pus in them :-(
Regards, Colin, England.
PS - seems the same old questions come up. Does Patient allow `stickies' which could explain the basics for Newcomers ?
Merry19451 colin1147
Posted
Colin,
I am uncertain as to what you mean by "stickies.". Sorry
Please explain.
BTW, I use Topiramate (Topamax) off label as an adjunct for pain control. It is a cleaner drug ie less side effects than Gabapentin, or Lyrica, for that matter. In some individuals it does cause a mental fog, but not always.
My identical twin gets it, but I don't.
As you seem to be very sensitive to BP side effects, Venlafaxine and Cymbalta can produce those adverse reactions, as well. I am on Venlafaxine, which also helps to reduce the pain.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have.
The lesions you do have tend to fade (lighten) after a year's time. When it is on one's face, it obviously is part of your identity and matters more.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
colin1147 Merry19451
Posted
Thank you, Merry. A `sticky' is an electronic sort of `post it' note. Not sure what you would call it in the USA. It is often used on Car (Auto) forums when lots of people have found the same fault with a Car. My GM Car has a habit of breaking suspension springs, one broken jagged end missed a tyre (tire) by a fraction, and my wife was doing 60 mph moments before. (Since then two more springs have failed ! )
In the Shingles case maybe it could outline the typical course of Shingles, and the advice to get an Ophthalmic check if it is on the face, and near the eye. Maybe it could also cover the PHN issue briefly ? Also typical medications used ......
Thanks for your info on drugs. appreciated. regards, Colin, England.
shelia22921 suzanne_31336
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HighPriest suzanne_31336
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Noelani suzanne_31336
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