Has Anyone Had Shingles?

[Mrs. Wallnut]

I just took our youngest back to the pediatrician today for a check up on a rash I noticed on his legs last week. It almost reminded me of chicken pox but it was mostly on his thighs. Doctor had me try some cream and Benedryl for the itching he might be feeling. Well took him back today because the rash had gotten a little better but hadn't cleared up. So today the doctor tells me that it might be shingles.

I didn't know you could get shingles with out having had the chicken pox? So to make sure he prescribed an antiviral medicine and took some cultures of a couple of the bad spots on his legs and we should know by the end of the week what it is. It was hard for me as a mom to have to hold my son still and have him crying because he didn't like it, but I also don't like seeing a rash like he has covering a lot of his legs.

I know that all parents worry about things and I know there are more serious things that could happen but a question that I have is if it is shingles and its serious can it land him in the hospital? And is this something that I should watch on the older kids also because they have had chicken pox.

[BobSch]

Her's an article on Herpes zoster, the virus that causes shingles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster

Looks like chickenpox is usually a first result, but not in every case.

As a past sufferer, I hope your son get through this quickly.

[Ed62]

My wife had shingles. I hope your son doesn't have it. Shingles can be painful. I don't want to scare you, but you should know what might happen if he has it. Although I don't think it can be life threatening or anything like that, it can be very miserable. I'm pretty sure it can be contagious. Your other kids won't want to touch him, but maybe one of the docs will weigh in as a better source of information. I'll say a prayer for him and the family.

Ed

[scmhogg]

Mrs. Walnut,

I'm certainly no doctor, and I didn't stay at Holiday Inn last night... But, from research done for a parent... You have to have had chicken pox before you can get shingles. Shingles are only contageous to a person who has not had chicken pox, and they will develop the pox not shingles. Sneaky little virus.

Also, it is very unusual to have shingles on both sides of the body.

Dr. Steve says, did the little darling sit in any poison oak or ivy. Ok, Ok so it's only a JD.

Steve

[MilDoc]

I agree. "Legs?" Both sides? Probably not shingles.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Thanks guys. And now that you have pointed out the "both sides" this is what I have noticed. It is on BOTH thighs but worse on the left side, and the little blister like sores are on the left side of his back mainly and he has a little bit on his cheeks. If its not shingles then I hope its nothing to serious.

[Tom Slick]

I've had both shingles and chicken pox as a kid, maybe 10 yo. I remember the shingles being on half of my chest and it was the first time I had to take medicine that would make me drowsy.

[KenBurris]

My Dr. has recommended that I get vaccinated for shingles (I'm 60)

[Mrs. Wallnut]

An Update

So we were at the doctors again on Friday because the rash that Thomas has was spreading down to his legs and tops of his feet and all over his little body. Even on his little ears. Other than that there were no other symptoms but being a mother I wanted to know what was wrong. So the doctor looked up some things while we sat and waited for a while and then he came back with a couple of names of what it may be...the first and I know that I am going to misspell something is, Echovirus Examthem or it is Evyzema mulitforme minor. Which the doctor said was not contagious and to call him if his lips became dried and cracked or he got a fever.

So we go back to the doctor on Monday, again. In the last week and a half almost two weeks we have been to the doctors office about 4 times and this includes Mondays visit.

[dkerfoot]

Definitely not like the shingles experienced by the people I know who have it.

I'd suggest you see a dermatologist (if you can get in to see one in less than a month). At the very least it is time for a 2nd opinion.

[MilDoc]

Erythema multiforme
http://www.dermatlas.org/derm/result.cfm?Diagnosis=98
Mouse over the pics to enlarge.

Echo virus exanthem
http://www.floridahospitalormond.org...dia/2/1329.htm

Look like either of these?

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Erythema multiforme
http://www.dermatlas.org/derm/result.cfm?Diagnosis=98
Mouse over the pics to enlarge.

Echo virus exanthem
http://www.floridahospitalormond.org...dia/2/1329.htm

Look like either of these?

Thanks a lot for those. It looks similar to what he has but I don't think as severe. Do you know what causes it and what should I do to prevent it in the future and what kind of treatment is involved?

The Echo virus is the one that looks like what Thomas has.

[MilDoc]

If he has an Echo viral rash, he could get similar rashes again. There are multiple "strains" of Echo virus though not all cause rashes And the Echo viral group belongs to an even larger group known as enteroviruses, many of which cause rashes or mouth lesions.

Although these viruses can cause serious problems, in most cases it's just fever, malaise, loss of appetite, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes a rash. Serious problems are relatively rare.

And the only way to prevent any of these would be to live in a sterile bubble with no human contact ever. I don't think your son would like that!

Basically, don't fret it. It's part of growing up, getting sick, developing immunity, until you're a teen or adult. Then you don't (and shouldn't) get sick so often.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Thanks Paul. I went to the doctor again yesterday and the doctor prescribed Prednizone for him for five days and we have to go back and see him on Thursday. The rash itself doesn't seem to bother him except I see him scratching at it once in a while and give him some Benedryl for it when I notice it. But other than that he just looks funny. The other thing that I am wondering and was just thinking about it while we were outside before it got too hot today is that we have some weeds out back that I think Mark called a "mustard" weed or something. And that is out back where he plays. So maybe he is allergic to that or something else out back. I will have to remember to say something to the doctor on Thursday.

[scmhogg]

I mentioned poison oak or ivy earlier. Mustard plants cause something called "Contact phototoxic photosensitization". The symptoms are redness, pain, blistering and hyperpigmentation of the affected area.

Contact phototoxic photosensitization is the most common occupational phototoxic reaction in humans, and is caused primarily by plants. This type of toxic reaction occurs when the photoactive chemical produced by the plant (or fungus) contacts the skin, is absorbed into the skin, and then activated by sunlight. The result is the same as sunburn, and varies in intensity dependent on the amount of chemical exposure, and the amount of exposure to sunlight.

Steve