Skin Rash

About 10 years ago I had a rash all over my body but not on my face, hands and feet.   It itched constantly for weeks.   At the time I was told it was related to having had chicken pox, but I can't remember the name of the disease, and haven't been able to find information about in on the Internet.    I need the name of it for my medical records.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

I think that you are talking about shingles or herpes zoster. ZONA is another name for herpes zoster or shingles. 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.

Treatment of shingles includes antiviral drugs, steroids, analgesics and anti viral eye drops.The treatment that is prescribed is the correct and best treatment.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.