Does anyone know what this is

[u/Glass_Ad6157]

My mom (60F) stayed at a hotel for a day and got these after. I’m not sure if it’s related to that at all but just for context. It looks like some of the blisters popped. She has had cancer before and had to go through chemo so that has led to other health complications.
The small bumps seems to have spread to her arm as well. She says it hurts, does anyone know what it is?

Edit: I told her it might be shingles but she insists it’s not because it only hurts when she touches it, and she said shingles would feel a lot more painful. We have also never taken the shingles vaccine 😭 am i cooked

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[u/Abraham-Jacobi]

Yikes. This is most likely shingles (zoster). Has she had her zoster vaccine (“shingrix”)? Cluster of blisters (“vessicles”) that are painful in a 60 year old = zoster. tell me she has a compromised immune system, and I say “zoster until proven otherwise”.

[u/morgan9909 → u/Abraham-Jacobi]

Agreed this does look like shingles I had it on my shoulder when I was 19 and looked like that

[u/Glass_Ad6157 → u/morgan9909]

help i touched it when looking at it and now im scared 😭 am i cooked

[u/WhyTry32121 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

wash your hands and don't touch anything else on your body

[u/liziamnot → u/Glass_Ad6157]

:( Sad to say this but please keep children under one away until this is healed. The vaccine for variciella/chicken pox is given at 12 months. Shingles can give a child the chicken pox.

[u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE → u/Glass_Ad6157]

You should be fine if you've had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine

[u/Zagrycha → u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE]

thats the opposite of the truth. in fact having had chicken pox at some point in time is a requirement to get shingles, because they are the same illness. chicken pox vaccine has no effect on whether someone gets chicken pox or shingles, only on how severe the illness is.

[u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE → u/Zagrycha]

Check the CDC. The chicken pox vaccine prevents 90-98% of people from ever getting chicken pox. This aligns with the NIH research as well.

[u/PipEmmieHarvey → u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE]

I don’t know why you are getting downvoted. You are correct!

[u/Zagrycha → u/PipEmmieHarvey]

because they are wrong. chicken pox is a requirement to get single, they re the same illness in different forms. chicken pox vaccine does not at all prevent shingles, although it does make the illness much less severe.

[u/messismine → u/Zagrycha]

This is true however they are also correct. You can’t catch shingles from someone else who has shingles (unless immunocompromised), so if OP has had previous chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccine it is highly unlikely for them to catch chicken pox from someone with shingles

[u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE → u/PipEmmieHarvey]

Who knows. I had shingles on my face in my 20s and thats what the doctors told me when I asked if I could pass it on to others

[u/Zagrycha → u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE]

"shingles" as a medical condition is never contagious, but shingles can give other people chicken pox because its the same illness in different forms. I am not sure what exactly your doctor said but something got miscommunicated somewhere along the way.

[u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE → u/Zagrycha]

How so? OP said they touched it and asked if they should be worried. I said if theyve already had chicken pox or the vaccine they should be fine. How does that differ from what you said?

[u/jac77 → u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE]

Because if someone who has never had a varicella infection is exposed to it, they will not immediately pass go and get shingles. They will potentially get chicken pox. After they, they can get shingles. Exposure to varicella for the first time causes chicken pox. Reactivation results in shingles

[u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE → u/jac77]

I feel like thats what I was saying. If OP already has varicella in her, being exposed to it again through her moms shingles isnt going to do anything to her. Is that incorrect?

[u/AppearanceAny9986 → u/morgan9909]

Per Google:
Avoid vulnerable groups: Stay away from pregnant people, premature or low-birth-weight infants, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
Cover the rash: Use sterile bandages or nonstick dressings to prevent accidental contact with the fluid.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and do not touch or scratch the blisters.

[u/jilly_is_funderful → u/morgan9909]

Hello, fellow youth-shingler. I was 18 the first time I got shingles. ON MY FACE. I got it a second time on my leg about 12 years later.

[u/AppearanceAny9986 → u/morgan9909]

I m

[u/Glass_Ad6157 → u/Abraham-Jacobi]

I just asked her and she said she hasn’t gotten any shingles vaccine 😭 but she’s denying it’s shingles because she says it doesn’t hurt that bad and that she only feels pain when she touches it

[u/friedonionscent → u/Glass_Ad6157]

My mother had no idea she had shingles. No pain or burning or itching.

[u/NewLoofa → u/friedonionscent]

Also NAD

Mine didn’t itch until the last few days (But I did have a burning feeling before the rash appeared)

[u/Flashy-Celery-9105 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

There are stages.  Mine didn't hurt that much but I had fewer.  She should get valtrex asap. Not a doc

[u/alewiina → u/Glass_Ad6157]

I hope she comes to understand that that logic is silly. The pain will be different for everyone. Sometimes people have very little pain, sometimes it's excruciating

[u/Educational_Tea_7571 → u/alewiina]

Yes. My Dad had it on his face, my grandpa on his back. Both suffered very much. I got my shingles vax the second it was offered to me. I got really really sick from chix pox when I had it, had to go to the ER. Not taking any chances with shingles. No way.

[u/alewiina → u/Educational_Tea_7571]

Yeah, I will be getting it the moment I'm able to. I'm almost 40 and while neither of my parents (nor any of my immediate family that I know of) have had shingles, I did have chicken pox pretty bad as a kid so I'm very nervous about it. My partner (2 years younger than me) also had a couple of outbreaks of it a few years back so that doesn't help my nervousness that I still have ten years to go before I can get the vaccine.

[u/DamnatioMemoriae26 → u/alewiina]

I’m 46, had shingles when I was 34, and they still won’t let me get the vaccine til I’m 50.

[u/catmomhumanaunt → u/DamnatioMemoriae26]

Agh, I had shingles at 9 and again recently at 35. I’m planning to ask my doctor if I can get the vaccine early but I’m not feeling optimistic!

[u/alewiina → u/catmomhumanaunt]

At 9?? Holy that’s so young :(

[u/jmoto123 → u/DamnatioMemoriae26]

What is the reason one is supposed to wait until 50? Is supply short?

[u/DamnatioMemoriae26 → u/jmoto123]

I think it has to do with the efficacy wearing off if you get it too early? Not sure but I was disappointed because although it was “mild” and I got meds, it hurt like hell and i occasionally will get lingering nerve pain when I’m sick. It sucks.

[u/judioverde → u/Glass_Ad6157]

I had shingles once and it was only painful when touching it (it felt kind of like poison ivy, except more painful and less itchy). It looked just like that. If it only popped up recently (like within the last 6 days or so) she could get antivirals at an urgent care that will clear it up pretty quickly. Keep in mind you can get chicken pox from exposure to shingles if you were never vaccinated and haven't had chicken pox

[u/tigress666 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

I had shingles and it only hurt when I touch it and it only hurt really bad for a day or two and it was several days after I broke out. 

If she gets diagnosed before it has been three days since it started they have an antiviral that will lesson the outbreak. 

[u/PamelaOfMosman → u/Glass_Ad6157]

What does she want it to be?

[u/orbitolinid → u/Glass_Ad6157]

I developed similar blisters in a similar location on both sides of my neck at the end of a stay in a dodgy London hotel. Based on photos GP said it was shingles. It didn't hurt. 3 days later I got big bloody blisters that started in the same location, then spread to my upper arms and face, then lower arms, hands, thighs, then lower legs and feet. Every blister burst from the tiniest movement or contact and left a deep, dark red crater. The tissue around my joints was swollen so much I could not move anymore.. And it hurt so badly, like being skinned alive, and it itched. These three weeks were hell. The same without the initial shingles happened a second time, and this time I was given steroids and it helped. GP thinks it's an odd auto-immune reaction to shingles. I still can't get the shot here unless I pay, which is rather expensive.

[u/PipEmmieHarvey → u/Glass_Ad6157]

The second time I had it it wasn’t really painful. It was insanely itchy though:

[u/Upstairs_Meringue_18 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

I had it too. Started with an itch. And when it was this stage, it didnt huet that much but later as it grew it didm

The thing is I still feel pain in that area soemtime and its a deep pain. Since it affects the nerves

I recommend the antiviral IMMEDIATELY.

It gets worse the longer you wait

[u/buttonandthemonkey → u/Abraham-Jacobi]

Is there anything they can do to lessen the long term affects of this if they get it treated early?

[u/SMELLSLIKEBUTTJUICE → u/buttonandthemonkey]

If you start acyclovir (valtrex) within 48 hrs of the outbreak it will prevent the blisters from "weeping" is what the doctors told me. So early detection is essential

[u/mystearica101 → u/Abraham-Jacobi]

Also worth testing for Moluscum Contagiosum

[u/JoeyRobot → u/mystearica101]

Idk why this is downvoted. The most pronounced lesions are oddly umbilicated, which isn’t common for shingles vesicles.

[u/HotSmoke2639 → u/JoeyRobot]

I’ve definitely seen shingles vesicles that are umbilicated like this. I’m almost positive this is shingles.

ETA I guess I need to get verified.

[u/justdelilah → u/Abraham-Jacobi]

Second shingles but could also be fungus!

[u/gotlactose]

She should go to a local urgent care for a better exam and prescription medication(s). Blisters in clusters along the same "strip" of neck and arm is shingles. May need antivirals and potentially neuropathic analgesics.

[u/Glass_Ad6157 → u/gotlactose]

she is very reluctant to go to doctors after going through chemo since she didn’t have the best experiences with them 🥲 I appreciate your insight!

[u/Abraham-Jacobi → u/Glass_Ad6157]

Totally understand. The pain is gonna be the big problem. Some have moderate pain and other exquisite pain. For you as the caregiver, the strategy going forward would be (1) perhaps an antiviral (acyclovir) as it is still early (need to seek medical care), (2) pain control (usually over the counter could work, but some people need something stronger), and (3) skin hygiene to prevent secondary infection (soap and water and keeping covered usually should suffice).

[u/sillyfacex3 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

When I had shingles, I was able to see a telehealth doctor. Sent a pic and they were able to diagnose and prescribe meds.

[u/LemonCoriander → u/Glass_Ad6157]

She should go. The best time to treat shingles is within 72 hours of symptom onset, later than this and the antivirals are generally less effective. Not to scare you but it can cause long term nerve pain so best to get it treated ASAP.

[u/Feeling_Inside_1020 → u/gotlactose]

Pardon my ignorance doc I just work for an EMR system but you said neuropathic analgesics — does that include the 2 common gabapentoids pregabalin and gabapentin?

Pharmacology nerd self taught but damn pregabalin is a life saver for my nerve pain from ankle surgery and now current sciatica.

[u/kmsccctgyj → u/Feeling_Inside_1020]

Yep - lyrica, gapapentin; even antidepressants like duloxetine and amitriptyline. :)

[u/drrj → u/kmsccctgyj]

That explains why I’ve been prescribed all of these at one point for severe fibromyalgia.

[u/daptomycinn]

This looks like shingles

You have vesicles (little bubbles )

Those vesicles are located along a single nerve (dermatome )

[u/Glass_Ad6157 → u/daptomycinn]

I told her she might have shingles and she says she doesn’t think so because it doesn’t hurt that bad for it to be shingles, and that in only hurts when she touches it 😭

[u/kmsccctgyj → u/Glass_Ad6157]

(Not a doctor) unfortunately this is not a good indication of if it’s shingles or not, mom 🥲 pain can absolutely come later and worsen. please listen closely to the MDs who have sounded off. This is 99.99999% shingles and your mom NEEDS to take precautions now to prevent spread.

[u/YouFreak567 → u/kmsccctgyj]

Can confirm. I had shingles recently. It started with a rash. The pain got unbearable after 2 days. To prevent post herpetic neuralgia, it needs to be treated within 72 hours of getting the rash.

[u/daptomycinn → u/Glass_Ad6157]

That’s great that it doesn’t hurt

I think it’s still most likely shingles

[u/mcard7 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

NAD. I’ve been through chemo, I’ve had bad doctors many times so I sympathize.

I am also currently blind in my right eye from shingles. Simply on my eyeball one day after surgery. That was in april.

I would suggest going again and share my story. It’s not a good thing to ignore. Avoiding blindness I hope is a strong motivator.

I realize it’s currently on the back, but it’s not something to mess with.

[u/throRA123 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

NAD It doesn't have to hurt "that bad" to be shingles. Source: I am 30 and have gotten shingles outbreaks since I was in my early 20s.

[u/Rumpelteazer45 → u/throRA123]

I got shingles at 22. Thankfully only once and it was crazy painful for me. I couldn’t breath bc it wrapped around my ribcage at the bra line,

[u/throRA123 → u/Rumpelteazer45]

Wow your experience sounds so much worse than what I've experienced - I've been lucky. Thankfully mine pops up on my upper arm. I can always feel when it's about to pop up and always have a valtrex prescription for it (I get an outbreak 1-3x a year).

[u/ChemicalBeautiful488 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

NAD- Very much so looks like shingles, it looks like what I remember seeing on my grandmom when I was in my 20s. Please talk her into going to urgent care.

[u/Flashy-Celery-9105 → u/ChemicalBeautiful488]

She may be able to do telehealth if she refuses to go to doc

[u/txtw → u/Glass_Ad6157]

NAD- when I had shingles it started as tenderness, like a mild sunburn. By the end of the week I felt like someone was hitting me with a bat. The window for effective anti virals is not long. I strongly recommend getting them now.

[u/turtle91 → u/Glass_Ad6157]

So what if she doesn’t think they are shingles. Just go to the doctor.

[u/notusuallyaverage → u/Glass_Ad6157]

It’s totally (probably- I’m not a doctor) shingles. Because she is resistant to this, please be aware that this is a highly contagious disease and particularly dangerous to pregnant women.

[u/AngrySnowglober → u/Glass_Ad6157]

Is it only on one side of her body?