Shingles spreading vertically?

[Nancy T]

About three weeks ago, preceded by a couple of weeks of itching, I noticed a red rash on my right lower back which looks like shingles. It's itchy, NOT painful, no real fluid-y blisters, but it's somewhat bumpy. I am pretty sure it's shingles, and via e-mail description my doctor thinks so too (I didn't go see her because it doesn't hurt).

It started out maybe 2 inches high and 4 inches wide (guesstimate).

Over the three weeks, the rash has slowly spread upward and downward (still just on the right side of my spine). Now I'd guess the rash is about 5 x 5 inches.

Does shingles do this--spread vertically?

Thanks,

Nancy (had chickenpox as child, now 55 yrs old)

[Nancy T]

I finally saw my doctor and she said it's NOT shingles but dermatitis, which surprised me for two reasons:

1. The rash is only on the right-hand side of my spine (on my lower back).

2. The rash was preceded by a week or two of itching and numbness in that area.

She said it wasn't shingles because there weren't vesicles. The rash is bumpy, on a red background, but there are no clearly fluid-filled blisters.

I haven't used any new substances or clothes, and I have NO idea why dermatitis would only be on ONE side of my back... it doesn't touch anything the other side doesn't! Also that weird triangular shape, with nearly straight lines up my spine and then sloping down to the right.

Oh well... the steroid cream I've been using the last two days does seem to be helping... though I suppose it still COULD have been atypical shingles and has just now run its course.

Any comments welcome...

Nancy

[Nancy T]

Thanks for the reply! The rash has continued to spread slightly upward, though very slowly. I will see my doctor if it doesn't start getting better soon. Since the rash is very clearly only on one side of my spine, I can't imagine that it is NOT shingles.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
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 and can occur vertical also.

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.