Blisters in navel

I have been diagnosed as having Therapedi Nuralgia.  

I had a recent bout with Shingles - this occurance had characteristics of pain and skin eruptions on my chest and back.  Also pain in my muscles in the same areas.  This has been going on for 2 months.

I have had a puzzling repeated occurance of either Eczema or a Shingle in my navel characterized by the forming of fluid filled blisters.  It seems that they occur after eating almost anything but especially after eating acidic foods.  This has been going on for over a year.  At present my skin is raw and burning tremendously!  I am at a loss as to what to eat - even bland food causes a reaction.  It also seems that stress is a factor.
My doctor said I may have to be on antibiotics for the rest of my life - however, I am alergic (allergic) to so many of them.  Would there possibly be a nature remedy to this?  It seems that I am otherwise healthy and energeic.  I am a female 57 years old - I look and act much youger than my years.  

I would appreciate any information you can give me regarding this confusing situation.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm afraid I am just as confused as you are.  

First of all, the term "Therapedi Nuralgia" doesn't remind me of anything.  Second, shingles (which is a recurrence of chickenpox) dries up in 2-3 weeks.  Pain can last longer, but if you are still getting "eruptions" after 2 months, then what you have isn't shingles.  Third, shingles doesn't affect the navel.  Fourth, foods have little or nothing to do with either eczema or shingles.  Fifteh, neither ecema nor shingles (nor any other diagnosis I know about) would require you to be on antibiotics for the rest of your life.

I think what you need is a proper diagnosis.  Maybe your eruptions on the chest are eczema.  Maybe your navel rash is a yeast infection.  I really don't know.  But a competent skin doctor should be able to examine you, perform culture tests if necessary, and treat you appropriatley.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff

[chewy194]

A related discussion, does anyone know about belly button blisters? was started.