I don’t wish to tempt fate here but it looks like it’s subsided, whatever it is.

The itchyness has stopped and no new spots have appeared. So, either it was an extremely short lived, mild case of shingles, thanks to the vaccine, or it was something to do with the intense heatwave we had these past few days. 38 degrees some days and quite debilitating.

Thanks for your help everyone, and Jayne, I will drink a toast to you with tequila outside the Opera House in Sydney Harbour.

Stay well everyone

Cherry

The vaccine I had was Shingrex.

I will update when I know for sure whether it is shingles or not.

CherryB i feel for you right now. But I've had shingles 3x in my life. And I am curious. My shingles were blisters that burned , itched and were extremely painful if fabric or water touched them. They broke and turned to scabs that itched insanely. When I was 6 an old army vet doctor had mom put Coaltar cream on it. You can get it at a pharmacy over the counter. Yes, an extreme event precipitated the shingles. Stress usually does it.

But what you have may be eczema or psoriasis or even lichen planus. Depending on where the rash is located it could be hives, vasculitis, dermatitis, many things. Those can be treated. A doctor can usually tell the difference but I saw 4 different doctors once and got 4 different answers.

I would take benedryl first to rule out allergic reaction, IF your doctor allows it. Then I would stay away from caffeine and ALL stressors to help calm nerves. I'd probably try a steroid cream on a small area to see if it helped. But that's me, my doctor has let me have several prescriptions, betamethazone, cortizones, and others. You should get a doctors advice.

Please be calm and help your body cope. Camomile or rose hip tea, bland foods that you can tolerate, even gelatin is comforting.

Look for blisters, then you'll know for sure.

I had both types of shingles vax. The new one is best.

WOW 38 degrees is HOT? We are freezing, now, in NJ. I hope that you continue to get better. If it happens again, DEFINITELY see your doctor! I paid $650 before Diane Feinstein made it free for hubby and myself for Shringrix in 2023!!!!!!!!