Shingles?

A friend of mine went to a Doctor who told him the rash around his right ear was shingles. Hmmm... No bumps just redness that is spreading and spread up his head and entire right side of his face. I told him I've had shingles 4 times and shingles have blisters. He went back to another Doctor for a second opinion and again the Doctor told him shingles! Since then the rash cleared within one week on the right side of his face and now is starting on the left ear just as it did on the right ear with no blisters. Just swelling and burning smooth red skin that spreads evenly. I'm not a doctor but I've never seen shingles like this and I think he has gotten two wrong DX's. The rash moves like hives.. One hour it's there then completely shrinks leaving no marks. I didn't think it was possible to get shingles on both sides of the body? Any input would be helpful????

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.

Sometimes the treatment for hives i.e. antihistaminics and steroids have to be taken for few weeks like 4-6 weeks. If the hives don’t go after 6 wks of treatment also, then it can be a case of chronic urticaria which needs further evaluation as it may be due to auto antibodies. I would suggest an allergist’s consultation in that case.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.