Hives and Shingles relation?

[dearHania]

Back on Thanksgiving 2013, I had what I thought to be an allergic reaction to Johnson's Baby Mineral Oil. My allergic reaction was what looked to be like a large patch of hives vertically spread across my back (upper to lower). I applied a  steroid cream to the area and it subsided in a few days. Then I started to get a lot of non-itchy red bumps along my hairline that turned into pustules within a few hours to a day. After a couple days, I had "grown" probably hundreds more of these bumps along my hairline and it was spreading into my scalp (on both sides of the head). I also felt what I would describe as being burned alive in the affected areas. I went to an urgent care doctor, who said it could not have been shingles and prescribed me prednisone (thinking that it was part of my 'extended' allergic reaction). I was also injected with a max dosage of solumedrol (an anti-histamine), which took away the pain in minutes.

Two days later, I was weaned off the prednisone and I felt the pain coming back. I also felt that the bumps had spread. I went to see another doctor and she (with the help of another licensed doctor) diagnosed me with shingles, explaining to me that because the virus had traveled to my dermatone on my scalp area, it is possible that it could occur on both sides of the face. I was prescribed 1g valacyclovir (3 times a day) for 7 days as well as ibuprofen for the pain. Within the first day of taking the medication, I saw significant results in the affected areas. They had started to dry and crust over and heal. And I was happy.

Fast forward to now, almost two months later, and I have what seems to be a recurrence of the same symptoms in the exact same areas. I "caught" this case of shingles early, having experienced what the beginning of shingles was like for me. However, when I was to see another different doctor due to being out of town...he and the PA said I was probably misdiagnosed for having shingles. This is because they firmly believe that shingles cannot be contracted on both sides of the body, as well as the fact that I now get the hives on my back and the eventually blistering pustules at the same time. The rash on the face is painful and sensitive to the touch, but the rash on my back is itchy. The two doctors didn't know what it was (after all, how do you diagnose someone with two different rashes at the same time?). They referred me to a dermatologist, and I have an appointment later today.

I was looking for other opinions from other practitioners as a supplement to the opinion I will receive from the dermatologist.

IS there any relationship between getting hives and shingles at the same time? I don't like doctors who are unmoved by other patient's testimonials. More often than not, there are cases of patients getting shingles in the same affected areas repeatedly and affecting both sides of the body. I feel like the two doctors were being knowledgeably stubborn. Please help if you can!

Additional Information: I am not allergic to anything and I have not changed anything in my diet. I exercise 4-5 times a week for 1-1.5 hours at the gym as well as walk close to 45 minutes a day for school.

[jfizkle]

continuation:
The Emergency room doctor diagnosed me with folliculitis. but the patient first doctor said it was herpes but no test results were rendered.

[jfizkle]

Let me just say when I was under 8 years old I was diagnosed with shingles. I have autoimmune diseases involving asthma, allergies, eczema and gastrointestinal. Recently I ate food I was allergic to feeding my toddler and before I could think about what I did, I felt it! I had hives in my crotch! This happens anytime I consume Chicken, Corn or Spinach. I took Benadryl and followed up with regularly scheduled antihistamines, zyrtec, pepcid. The itch and the hive subsided by bedtime (3 hours later) I woke up and went to work a little sore (normal) and tyhroughout the day that discomfort progressed. the hives became raised and fluid filled and extremely painful. over the next few days I applied damp vaseline protective dressings for soothing and the bumps continued to become fluid filled by this time the fluid started to turn cloudy. It was itchy, burny and PAINFUL. I tried to convince my family provider and patient first doc that Although I am 23 I have had shingles before. They automatically said it was herpes without even examining me because they did not feel it was possible to have shingles in that area OR for HIVES to transform into SHINGLES. I  insisted on doing a culture or blood work before just diagnosing me with a disease as life changing as herpes.  I am waiting for that to come back this friday. I have not been with anyone with herpes or cold sores and they have been tested to confirm that. I feel so alone and so scared. Because no one has listened to ME! If you can indeed get shingles after a hive phenom there needs to be a mass re-education of doctors and nurses to take account of what their patient is saying. any thoughts?

[WFRN]

As a registered nurse, it amazes me that a simple culture of the pustules was not done. It would have solved the "mystery" immediately so proper treatment could be implemented.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Shingles does not recur. It can be due to perifolliculitis. It is characterized by small, very itchy pustules within the scalp, often most troublesome on the frontal hairline. The scalp should be washed with a mild normal shampoo as often as desired. Antidandruff shampoos containing antifungal agents such as ketoconazole or ciclopirox are sometimes helpful. Apart from that you need topical and oral antibiotics, antihistamines, oral steroids and topical tretinoin.

My sincere advice is to get it examined from a dermatologist. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[allmymarbles]

Since the second doctor you visited (the one who is out-of-town) got the condition under control, I would go back to him when he returns. That is a pragmatist's view.