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Please help, high anxiety over lingering shingles discoloration!

Posted , 7 users are following.

dusty00483
dusty00483

My case of shingles may seem minor compared to many here, but it is causing me a high degree of anxiety.  Four blisters appeared under my eye back on August 4th.  I was initially misdiagnosed as having cellulitis.  I went through the normal process of the four blisters scabbing over within 10 days and the swelling and rash fading after that.  But now we are at 7 weeks and I still have discoloration on my face where the four blisters were.  I have attached a photo.  If it were not for the fact that this was on my face, it would not be such an issue.  Is it normal for it to take this long for marks from the blisters to fade?  Is it possible I will be permanently scarred?

I know it may seem minor but it is not to me.  Go easy on me, it's hard for me to be so open about this kind of thing online.  Thank you.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • milton42401
    milton42401 dusty00483

    Posted

    I’m not sure what to tell you sorry I’m trying to figure out things myself hope you get better 
  • Manny321
    Manny321 dusty00483

    Posted

    I had my shingles outbreak during mid June on my right shoulder blade. In three weeks the scabs went away. Though, it was until the end of August the marks almost disappeared. Just give it time.
  • sheila24138
    sheila24138 dusty00483

    Posted

    I had shingles one year ago on my groin and thigh and I still have a faded rash there. Not important on my thigh but I understand your concern on your face but it takes time for it to fade. You could possibly put a concealer on it until it heals . 
  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 dusty00483

    Posted

    Hi Dusty,

    I can see you are a very pretty lady. The redness will fade over time. Seven weeks is a brief period of time for the Shingles redness to disappear completely. Fortunately, yours does not look highly irritated or deep. The healing process duration is based on the depth and intensity of inflammatory changes from the shingles and your own body's ability to heal. If you had scratched the area or it had become infected with a bacterial infection, it would take much longer.

    You could apply Vitamin E oil to the area. Definitely, avoid the sun at all costs as it can irritate the scar and trigger another episode. It is difficult to say exactly when the redness will be gone completely, as it is a process.

    It is extremely difficult when we have an injury or potential scarring or lesions on our face, as it is our identity to the world, our very essence. Every one on the forum understands the genuine fear regarding the scarring. It is not a minor issue, especially on the face!

    I hope you are feeling better by now.

    I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

  • dusty00483
    dusty00483

    Posted

    Thank you for the kind responses.  I think the thing that bothers me is that you see so much information online that says shingles clears up in 4-6 weeks.  And when yours doesn't meet that timeline, the anxiety sets in that something is still wrong or there is something else they missed.  The redness that remains is also raised where the blisters were.  I thought this was strange.  This has all caused me so much pain mentally over these last seven weeks.  It is nice to find a community to talk about this. 

    • Merry19451
      Merry19451 dusty00483

      Posted

      Dear Dusty,

      The medical community is often misinformed regarding shingles. People are contracting shingles at a higher rater than previously and the virus is more virulent than previously. The supposed acute illness clears in four weeks, but many, probably 40-70% are still having significant pain at six weeks after onset. I doubt that anyone's rash has cleared, ie completely resolved at two months. Perhaps a light case at 4-6 months, and a more severe case will at 9-12 months. It will slowly lighten over the following months.

      Best Wishes

      Merry Juliana

  • Guest
    Guest dusty00483

    Posted

    Hi Dusty,

    It will disappear over time. One good natural remedy after a week (to make sure that the healing is complete) is to gently rub some extra virgin coconut oil.

    Your skin will be as good as new!

    All the best, 

  • dusty00483
    dusty00483

    Posted

    Your advice is appreciated more than you know.  I have ordered both vitamin E oil and extra virgin coconut oil.  After reading what so many of you have gone through, I now really get it having gone through it.  The emotional toll of this disease is almost worse than the physical pain.  And in my case the facial markings are a constant front and center reminder its still there.
  • ANON77777777777
    ANON77777777777 dusty00483

    Posted

    you can always get a facial!! check out mine.... I am doing everything I can to make sure they don't pop and that they heal okay. Pray for me. I noticed blisters on my arm on Sunday, took a photo on Wednesday (top), and took another photo today-Thursday (bottom). This is the progression of my shingles from the third to the fourth day.... again, pray for me.... 😃image

    • ANON77777777777
      ANON77777777777

      Posted

      The top is Thursday and the bottom is Wednesday... my mistake!

  • ANON77777777777
    ANON77777777777 dusty00483

    Posted

    you can always get a facial!! check out mine.... I am doing everything I can to make sure they don't pop and that they heal okay. Pray for me. I noticed blisters on my arm on Sunday, took a photo on Wednesday (top), and took another photo today-Thursday (bottom). This is the progression of my shingles from the third to the fourth day.... again, pray for me.... 😃image

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