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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Recurring bout of shingles?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Recurring bout of shingles?
by momtotwinsplus1, Dec 23, 2006 12:00AM
Hi Dr. Rockoff,
Its me again! Sorry to trouble you, but I fear I am about to have another bout of shingles. I was dx with shingles 1 month ago after a cold.( I am an otherwise healthy, albeit majorly stressed, female 38y/o). My initial bout was mild and followed a typical pattern, i.e 1 dermatome. After tx with Valtrex the shingles and pain disappeared. Now, I am having similar pain just above the original affected dermatome. The pain feels familiar and is unilateral. Since my original outbreak was mild, (mild pain) and Ive had no pain for 3 weeks, Im wondering if this could be PHN. Or could I possibly be coming down with them again. I know you said previously that was unlikely, but Im (obviously) a worry wart. I did just have another cold a week ago, and am more stressed than usual due to the holidays. As always, I appreciate your advice. Thank you.
Its me again! Sorry to trouble you, but I fear I am about to have another bout of shingles. I was dx with shingles 1 month ago after a cold.( I am an otherwise healthy, albeit majorly stressed, female 38y/o). My initial bout was mild and followed a typical pattern, i.e 1 dermatome. After tx with Valtrex the shingles and pain disappeared. Now, I am having similar pain just above the original affected dermatome. The pain feels familiar and is unilateral. Since my original outbreak was mild, (mild pain) and Ive had no pain for 3 weeks, Im wondering if this could be PHN. Or could I possibly be coming down with them again. I know you said previously that was unlikely, but Im (obviously) a worry wart. I did just have another cold a week ago, and am more stressed than usual due to the holidays. As always, I appreciate your advice. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 24, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 24, 2006 12:00AM
Most likely, all you have is residual nerve irritation, common after shingles and lasting several weeks or a few months. It's hard to localize that kind of pain, so the fact that it seems to be one dermatome up doesn't mean anything. At your age, true post-herpetic neuralgia is really uncommon. I wouldn't worry, and just ignore the pain, which should gradually subside and disappear.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
