Shingles Rash

[nobodysfault129]

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, but it is a rash so here I go. Does anyone know if you can have shingles without a blistered rash. I had three bumps on my back at waistline which I thought were some kind of bites. Then I started having really bad pain and a feeling like I had a sunburn. This all happened over a weekend. So I went to the doctor on Tuesday, and he said it was shingles, but I don't have the blisters. One of the spots is a little scaly but very little. But I do agree I have all the symptoms, but I was wondering if a spider bite could cause the same symptoms as shingles, and has anyone ever had the shingles without the blisters. The doctor said you don't always get that many. Just wondering. Thanks in advance for any answers.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face.

It is unusual but possible to have shingles without blisters.I would suggest to get it confirmed from a dermatologist.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[jagesh50]

A unilateral rash with pain would favour Hzoster which sometimes may not present with typical bisters.But then localized bites can sting equally as bad to cause some confusion.only visual evidence some times helps,but then in zoster there are clusters,that would differentiate it.