Shingles or lupus rash ?

[Ava0]

Hello I was wondering if anybody had any insight on what this rash could be? I am prone to shingles and on prophylactic antivirals as I am primary immunocompromised with my lupus.Suffering quite a bit of stress at the moment with a poorly dog so not sure if it's just a flare of lupus or what it is? whether I need more antivirals or something else. Thanks for reading and much appreciated

love and light 😊

🙏

[PMRpro]

Exactly where is the rash? Shingles is usually in a fairly restricted area related to the nerve where the virus is dormant. And almost always only on one side of the body.

[Ava0 in reply to PMRpro]

On the left hand side of my lower back thank you for your reply😊

[PMRpro in reply to Ava0]

DIfficult to say isn't it since you have a history of shingles - does this look like your usual shingles rash? Has it formed blisters yet?

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

[Ava0 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply I am going to adopt the watch and Wait approach for the next 24 hours. No blisters as yet. Thank you for the link. I am prone to strange urticarial rashes so who knows what's going on. Many thanks enjoy the rest of your weekend

[PMRpro in reply to Ava0]

Hope it all sorts itself out - nicely and quickly.

[Ava0]

Bless you and thank you so much😊

[OOL21]

I believe pharmacists in the UK can now treat and diagnose shingles. If you’re immunocompromised they might have to refer you to your GP for treatment but they should be able to distinguish between shingles and urticaria.

As far as I recall you need treatment with antivirals within 5 days of the rash first appearing to minimise the risk of chronic neuropathic pain.

[Ava0 in reply to OOL21]

Thank you 😊

[Dottie11]

Might be worth requesting a rescue pack and see if you respond to antiviral in case gets worse.

[Ava0 in reply to Dottie11]

Hello thank you for replying and yes I am given a rescue pack by immunology I think I am going to email my immunology nurse for an opinion thank you once again we lucky to have this wonderful forum with such amazing people😊

[Dottie11 in reply to Ava0]

You welcome. I am under Immunology too and sometimes find a quick call does wonders to ease our minds. I hate the guess the rash issues too. Good luck.

[Ava0 in reply to Dottie11]

🥰

[soul22]

Hi nice meet youThat has small blisters forming and see heads on some on one side .glad you got rescue pack from immunology.

Stress has tipped me to come out shingles I've had it 3 times since 2020.

Mine are always lumbar spine area some no rash internal shingles medication fast works well.

Get well soon sorry hear your dog we have two cats health issues in illness can be very stressful.

[Ava0 in reply to soul22]

Thanks for your reply.sorry about your recurring shingles too

Take care 🙏

[soul22 in reply to Ava0]

Your welcome

[Hoofprints]

I was having similar rashes and had history of shingles more than once. Therefore it was presumed I was having further attacks if shingles, especially as I did feel unwell with it.

However, I went on to be diagnosed with urticarial vasculitis syndrome, which manifests in rashes but is actually a body-wide, systemic condition.

It might be worth ruling out this with your doctors. I had a test for the anti- C1q antibody at the hospital (GP unlikely to have access to running this test) which was strongly positive, and my complement levels checked (my C3 and C4 were low).

Good luck 🍀

[Ava0 in reply to Hoofprints]

Wow thank you so much for that information

I will be looking into that and asking my immunologist she has diagnosed me previously with urticarial rashes

I too always have a low C3 and C4

Best wishes

[Hoofprints]

Glad to help. I hope you get some clear answers now 🤞🏻🤞🏻. Please do update us all and let us know how you get on. Seems like you have a good immunologist. Good luck 🍀🍀

[Ava0 in reply to Hoofprints]

Will do thanks 🙏