batter pictures here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28053324@N04/
I also have large versions of the pictures if you are willing to help and would like more detailed pics.
Looks like a lovely case of shingles...and sounds like it too...Nice picts, by the way...A shingles inflammation will follow the nerve tract sometimes all the way to the main nerve, in this case, that would be up your arm and your shoulder...The fluid from the blisters (if it is shingles) carries the same virus that is chicken pox, so, while you are developing the sores, and until they crust over, you will be highly contagious...there is medication that shortens the severity of the out break...Have this looked at by a DR now! Usually, shingles is just annoying and painful, but it does have complications from time-to -time...
If you can't get in before they heal over, bring the pictures in with you..they tell a thousand words...I hope you feel better soon...
sounds good. I suffered from shingles badly when I was a child. It was on my side though and i have a huge scar to prove it. It slowly migrated across my side a tiny bit until one year it just stopped. A couple years after that, this showed up on my finger and I never put the 2 together. It only happens in warm, humid weather and usually only at the beginning of summer...that was the same for my side as well, but they never blistered up so bad on my side. As for the Doctor visit...I have no health insurance and the only time i've ever asked a doctor about it, he brushed it off and said it looks like it may be herpes...i never really liked that doctor much!! I signed up for my health insurance and should take affect in a couple months...maybe then i can take these pics in and have them looked at.......thank god for high resolution digital cameras :)
OOOHHHHH!!!!!!! Don't you just HATE the "blow off"?!? Grrrr! I had a Dr that did that to me, and it almost killed me! (I ended up having a tumor that was causing all kinds of problems!)
I do know that there are inexpensive immune boosting and anti -shingle (sometimes under the label for herpes treatment as the viruses that cause them are related) natural treatments available...I'm afraid I don't know what they are currently, but medhelp does have a forum that may be helpful...
Take care...I know what it means not to have medical insurance, and the frustration that comes with it...((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGZ))))))))))))))))))))) ~Melinda