itchy raised rash

[yellowstang]

Hello,
about a week and a half ago my right shoulder area down to the middle of my back started itching really bad, for a week there was no rash nor reddness. a few days ago i noted a medium sized patch of red raised bumps in the middle of my back the rest of my skin still itches alot but the bumps arent that itchy they are however a little bit tender to pressure, wearing a bra has been very very uncomfortable, cortosone cream has not been very much help gold bond medicated cream is helping a little but not much.....what is this and what do you reccommend ??
thanks

[yellowstang]

thank you, honstly tho im incredibly sure its not shingles.. the raised bumps do not contain any fluid and are not really painfull the bumps look more like small hives but i know hives are much larger and usually affect large areas ..anyother suggestions ????

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but the possibility of shingles has to be ruled out. 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 suggest you to consult a gynecologist and get it ruled out.
I hope that helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.Kind regards.