Rash or what?!

Just after Halloween I noticed small bumps just under my armpit on my side. I dismissed this. However, a few days later they were very red and slightly painful to touch. Today, 11/7, they are very red, very painful to pressure, I can't even walk really without them hurting. They are clear, not liquid filled, and a few have broken and have what look like small scabs or something in them. What could this be? I've never had anything like this before.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From your symptoms shingles needs to be ruled out. 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. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.