25 y.o. Male, Healthy and Active - Do I have shingles or could this be something else?

Hi justin ,

Usually the rash would apear I would say. Have you changed soap power, shower cream of anything?

Just a thought.

Kind Regards 

Kathy

Justin,

Sorry you are experiencing this.  I have had shingles 6 times in 6 years.  I only had the rash three times and it wasn't much of a rash.  Really just looked like red area with a couple pimples.  Google shingles without the rash.  It is more common than you think and a lot harder to diagnose. Do you experience and burning or a shock like pain in the area?  That is usually my first signs, but everyone is different.  At this point you can take the meds the doctor gave you but if it is something like Valtrex it is probably too late to help, but worth a try.  Gabapentin is really good for the nerve pain.  If pain becomes too intense you may need an actual pain reliever.  The pain for me usually peaks around week 2 and slowly gets better.  Let me be clear, NOTHING makes the pain go away, it just makes it more manageable.  I know have permanent nerve damage on the right side of my head after having it in the same place 3 times.  So every now and then I get the little electric shocks, some days are worse than others.  Good Luck to you and if I can help with any other questions, please let me know.

Dear Justin,

I am sorry you are going through this. As your pain occurs on one side, has increased slightly since it started, is irritated by simply a shirt rubbing your skin (allodynia), it certainly sounds like Shingles. Shingles without the rash is called "Zoster Sine Herpete," and your Physician should have treated you with an Antiviral immediately. The rash will probably not form now.

I would wear cotton knit clothing to decrease the irritation.

You can use cool compresses or ice on the painful areas as it will help decrease the pain.

Also, sprays with lidocaine such as Bactine or Solarcaine with Aloe help to soothe the irritation tremendously.

You might try hydrocortisone cream on your skin, as well.

I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have had Herpes Zoster-Shingles in my right ear every 3-5 weeks for the past 22 years. I also have had it my right eye twice. The shingles has now escalated and spread to my right scalp. I tried the above treatments, and they helped me enormously.

Best Wishes

Merry Juliana

Justin, hi I am sorry you are going through this. I am much older then you 57 but I have had terrible pain and burning for 4 months now. I told the Dr I thought it was Shingles even though I have never had a rash. I have also seen a neurologist and she said it must be shingles. I feel for any one that has to experience this pain and burning. I keep thinking it’s going to go away but it’s still there. I have tried various meds but nothing seems to really work. I spray a cool/heat on my right backside and use cool compresses to get a little relief. The burning is there quite a bit of the time. I hope you don’t have to deal with this for too much longer or any one else on here. I just wanted to reach out to you because I have never had the rash but just a lot of pain. Take care. Lorray 

Hello.  It is certainly possible to get Shingles without a rash - known as zoster sine herpete (although this doesn't necessarily mean that its what you've got).  I understand that if suspected, it is possible to do some tests (blood/saliva) to see if the virus is present, so this may be worth pursuing.