Skin rash? Or worse?

About 2 days ago, red bumpy spots appeared on the left side of my left breast. It looked like rashes. They were slightly itchy I think. I ignored the itch and followed my mother's advice to just apply some powder onto the area. But a day later, I found another patch of red spots, this time in the middle of my breasts. This set of spots seems more clumped together, but were just as bumpy and red as the one of my left breast. Now both affected areas have not been cured. I don't know what these spots are. They don't itch, but there is a slight pain I feel under the skin of the affected areas - like a muscle ache of sorts. I have never had rashes before.

I've been worrying so much about this for the past 2 days. I have not gone to my local doctor because I thought they would disappear within a day or two. Somehow it looks like it might have gotten a tad worse. Currently I'm applying Fobancort cream on both affected areas.

What is your advice? Pls help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but it looks like shingles.How ever the other possibilities are of contact dermatitis,eczema or fungal infection,

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.
I sincerely adives you to get it confirmed from a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Warm regards.

[chiquitaye]

Hey thanks so much. Your comment really helped me. I just came back from the doctor and apparently I got Zoster (commonly known as shingles as stated in Wiki). Was told that the pain will last for about a week or two. The doctor gave me pain killers and calamine lotion, and 7 days work leave. Unbelievable.

But yeah, whatever it is, hope I'm not left with scars on my body after this week. Lol.

Thanks again!

Chiquitaye