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Possible shingles misdiagnosis?
I was recently at my local docs office due to a rash I developed on the left side of my face, particularly close to the jaw line. It started out as 1 small area with 2 little bumps on it, until I scratched at it. The rash is very localized and has not spread any further since I started treatment.
The doctor was very brief in looking at it. I told him there was very little pain but the itching was enough to wake me up out of a deep sleep. He surmised rather hastily that it was most likely shingles or impetigo.
The treatments do seem to be helping to reduce the rash (I was given Valacyclovir and Mupirocin 2% ointment to treat both) but the itching is still out of control. Has anyone here experienced an aggressive itch related to these conditions, or do you think it's more likely scabies, or possibly an allergic reaction to some sort of insect bite?
The doctor was very brief in looking at it. I told him there was very little pain but the itching was enough to wake me up out of a deep sleep. He surmised rather hastily that it was most likely shingles or impetigo.
The treatments do seem to be helping to reduce the rash (I was given Valacyclovir and Mupirocin 2% ointment to treat both) but the itching is still out of control. Has anyone here experienced an aggressive itch related to these conditions, or do you think it's more likely scabies, or possibly an allergic reaction to some sort of insect bite?
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Shingles is incredibly painful, so I really don't think that's what you have if you don't have any pain. Impetigo is a possibility, although it's most common in children.
Are the sores oozing anything at all or do they seem to rupture? The Murpirocin is an antibiotic ointment, so it should address the issue if it's impetigo- how long have you been on it? Have you called the doctor back to let them know that the itching has persisted? It doesn't sound like they gave you anything to address the itching- since the rash seems to be going away, I'd bet that it's addressing the infection as it should, but the itching will be uncomfortable for a bit. You can call the doctor and ask if there is anything you can take for the itch specifically.
Are the sores oozing anything at all or do they seem to rupture? The Murpirocin is an antibiotic ointment, so it should address the issue if it's impetigo- how long have you been on it? Have you called the doctor back to let them know that the itching has persisted? It doesn't sound like they gave you anything to address the itching- since the rash seems to be going away, I'd bet that it's addressing the infection as it should, but the itching will be uncomfortable for a bit. You can call the doctor and ask if there is anything you can take for the itch specifically.
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The sores don't seem to be oozing anything, though when the ointment is on it would be hard to tell. I've been on the treatments for roughly 8 days now.
I'd definitely call the doctor about the itching if it's been 8 days, you should see some improvement in that as well.
The itch seems to have improved drastically in the last 24 hours. I'm hopeful that it will stay that way!
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