Shingles & chicken pox

[*Efjay*]

I have a rash on my neck that stated off as a old pimple, I kept scratching at it which resulted in it becoming a sore so I put a band aid on it so I couldn't pick at it with out realising. After taking the bandaid off there is now a icky rash were the band aid was, not the sticky bit but the non adhesive dressing bit of the band aid. I figured my skin had just reacted to the bandaid. But its not getting better & its itchy & painful. To me it looks like a fungal infection. I showed my GP while I was there for something else who was concerned that its actually a shingles out break!

At first I didn't think so but been looking at pictures on the net & well, hmmm maybe it is... It doesn't really fit the symptoms though but different sites say different things.

But the thing is, if I had shingles, surly my non vaccinated, never had chicken pox's kids would get/have chicken pox wouldn't they?

Dr said to keep an eye on it, but how long should I leave it? She was worried because I am pregnant but for what I have read shingles doesn't effect the unborn bub.

If anyone knows, I have taken a photo if you want to see & can confirm that it is or isn't shingles LOL.

[*Nessa*]

Fj- you actually cant catch chicken pox from shingles.

Shingles is when the chicken pox virus reoccurs in a already immune person.


But one thing i must say is shingles is dangerous for a pg women to have!!!! (well i am pretty sure it is)

[*Efjay*]

Well from what I have been reading a person can't catch shingles off someone with shingles BUT can get chickenpox if they haven't had it before.

Also read that only chicken poxs effects the unborn baby where with shingles the person already has antibodies against chicken pox so when shingles occurs & the person is preg the unborn baby is protected by the mothers antibodies.

eta - my symptoms really don't fit. I just wish I knew what it was so I could treat it. Its so itchy & sore!

[~Kim~]

Sounds about right FJ. My DH's shingles looked like a spider bite, until they started to spread.

I'm assuming you've had the cp previously?
Shingles is a mutation of the CP virus which can often lay dormant in you body for years waiting for the right conditions. Usually low immunity.
It geneerally follows a nerve and your neck is full of them.
Oral Zovirax is usually the treatment but I don't think you can take that when pregnant.
We used to use a spray on dressing (that when it dries is like a plastic covering) at the hospital to stop the air getting at it. Just ask the chemist.

Really hope it's not though. GL finding an answer.

[Kazbah]

Oh goodness FJ, this is the last thing you need.

Can't they do a blood test?

[Ginger]

you absolutely can catch chicken pox from someone with shingles. about 6 years ago my mother had an outbreak of shingles. all 3 of us kids (who had all never had chicken pox) caught really bad chicken pox. i'm sorry fj, it was really bad.

[ShootingStar]

Yeh you can catch Chicken Pox from someone with Shingles, its just you cant catch Shingles from someone who has Chicken Pox (maybe Nessa got mixed up).

Yeh most likely if it is Shingles your kids will get it, but then they may not. DH has never had chicken pox and MIL stuck him with every kid that had it when he was younger so he'd get it. Probably just depends on their natural immunity. But i think its better to get it for them now then later.

Did you GP say any more on what happens if it is shingles? I know that chicken pox can effect the baby not sure about shingles though.

Best of luck and hope its just a rash!