Herpes and Nerve Pain

[FatallyYours]

In September, I developed an itchy rash on my forehead. I went to the doctor and was told I had shingles. No testing was done, which I thoroughly regret, but it's too late now. I never noticed any kind of scabbing with the rash; it was more like it just faded. I have not had a recurrence of it. I have occasionally been experiencing sharp, shooting pains in my forehead since that time, however. At first it seemed to only be on the right side of my forehead, which is the side my rash was on, but I have noticed pain on the left side a few times more recently. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to the pain. Sometimes I'll feel it occasionally over the course of several days, and sometimes I'll go a week or two without feeling anything. Whenever I get this pain, I watch out for lesions over the next few days, but nothing ever seems to happen. I do get bumps on my forehead, but given the location, my age, and the presentation of these bumps (they don't itch or appear in clusters, and they don't burst and scab), I am inclined to believe that they are just acne. I am a college student whose family has no health insurance or source of income, so going to the doctor to be evaluated and have tests done really is not a viable option. I don't care about treating the pain; I can take it. What I would like is advice. Should I be concerned that this is herpes going on? What precautions should I take? At this point, I wash my hands multiple times after I comb my hair, I absolutely do not use my bare hand to brush my bangs out of my face, and I have been putting off getting my hair cut because I'm not sure if I would be putting anyone at risk by doing so. Obviously, it's pretty inconvenient, and I don't want to keep doing these things if they're not likely to be necessary/helpful. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[FatallyYours]

You told me you doubt that I had shingles. You never told me whether or not herpes is a possible/likely explanation or what precautions I should be taking.

[gracefromHHP]

you've asked many questions now about all of this. I really don't know of anything else I could possible add. You need to continue to follow up on this with medical providers. Call your local health department to see what your local affordable options are.

grace