Can You Have Shingles On Your Buttocks

Shingles On The Buttocks

A shingle rash can sometimes appear on the buttocks. Shingles usually impact one side of the body at a time. This means you may get a rash on the right buttock and not on the left. Just like other parts of the body, shingles on the buttocks can trigger tingling, discomfort, and itching at first. A red rash and blisters can also appear after a few days. Other patients experience pain but may not have a rash.

Shingles Vs Poor Immune System

People who develop shingles and have a weakened immune system should see the doctor immediately. Regardless of your age, you will receive antiviral drugs and will be closely observed for complications.

Individuals with a weakened immune system are those who:

• Use strong doses of steroids. This refers to people who take 40 mg prednisolone, the steroid tablets daily for more than a week for the past three months. Alternatively, children who have used steroids in the past three months, equal to prednisolone 2 mg/kg each day for a week or 1 mg/kg daily for at least a month.
• Use low doses of steroids combined with certain immune suppressant drugs.
• Take anti-arthritis drugs that can impact the bone marrow.
• Have undergone an organ transplant and is currently under immunosuppressive therapy.
• Are undergoing generalized radiation therapy and chemotherapy treatment, or have been receiving these therapies for the past 6 months.
• Have an impaired body defense system
• Are immunosuppressed due to the HIV infection.

Home Care For Shingles

Colloidal oatmeal baths are an old standby for relieving the itch of chickenpox and can help with shingles, as well. To speed up the drying out of the blisters, try placing a cool, damp washcloth on the rash If your doctor gives you the green light, stay active while recovering from shingles. Gentle exercise or a favorite activity may help keep your mind off the discomfort.

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What Are The Symptoms Of The Shingles

Shingles typically starts with a burning sensation in a patch of skin, followed by a cluster of small red bumps. This rash will change to painful fluid-filled blisters, which eventually dry and crust over. The rash usually goes away in one to two weeks, but pain may continue for a prolonged period of time. Shingles typically follows the path of a single nerve and occurs on one side of the body. The blisters are commonly found on the torso and buttocks, but shingles may appear on the arms, legs, or face.

Whos At Risk For Shingles

Anyone who has ever had chickenpox can get shingles, but the risk increases with age. People older than age 60 are up to 10 times more likely to get shingles than younger people. Other factors that increase your risk include:

• Some cancer medicines
• A weak immune system from illnesses such as cancer or HIV

A quarter of adults will develop shingles at some point, and most are otherwise healthy.

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How Is Shingles Diagnosed In A Child

The healthcare provider will ask about your childs symptoms and health history. Your child will have a physical exam. Your child may also have tests, such as:

• Skin scrapings. The blisters are gently scraped to remove tiny samples. The samples are examined to look for the virus.

• Blood tests. These are to check for signs of virus in the blood.

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Can Other People Catch It

This one is confusing! You can catch chickenpox from other people, but you cant catch shingles from other people. You only get shingles from a reactivation of your own chickenpox infection in the past.

So if you have shingles, and you come into contact with somebody else, they cannot catch your shingles. But if they have never had chickenpox, it is possible that they could catch chickenpox from you.

To put it another way, no, you dont catch shingles. It comes from a virus hiding out in your own body, not from someone else. But if you have shingles, you may be infectious, as it is possible for people to catch chickenpox from you.

Only people who have never had chickenpox are likely to be at risk of catching chickenpox from your shingles. People who have had chickenpox should be immune from catching it again. If the rash is in a covered area of skin, the risk of anyone with whom you are not in close contact catching chickenpox is very low.

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What Does Shingles Look Like

Shingles looks as painful as it sounds. Red patches of skin covered in bumps eventually erupt into fluid-filled blisters that ooze before eventually drying out and crusting over. The infected bands of skin typically wrap around one side of the bodyleft or right. Shingles mostly appears on the torso, face, and neck, but it has been known to pop up on an arm or leg.

People with weakened immune systems often have shingles that stray from the typical band-like pattern. Their shingles may be more widespread.

People with severe cases of shingles may see permanent changes in the pigmentation of their skin once their blisters scab over and fall off.

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Symptoms And Treatment For Shingles Rash

The first symptom of the shingles rash is usually a burning or shooting pain, generally on one side of the body or face. One to three days later, a viral rash will erupt and eventually form pus-filled blisters like those of chicken pox. The blisters remain for as long as two weeks before crusting over and fading away. All patients who suspect they have shingles should seek medical attention. Studies show that not treating shingles worsens post-herpetic neuralgia pain.

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Can Herpes Be Spread If There Is No Visible Sore

Not only can herpes be spread if there is no sore, MOST herpes is transmitted in the absence of lesions! It is now estimated that over 80% of all genital herpes is transmitted when there isnt anything on the skin and no symptoms. Patients have been aware for many years that if they kissed someone while having a fever blister or had sex with their partner while having an outbreak of genital herpes that they were likely to transmit the virus. Despite this knowledge, however, a 30% increase in the prevalence of HSV 2 infections was documented in the 1980s and 1990s. This increase is most likely due to the presence of HSV on the genital skin in the absence of lesions or symptoms. This phenomenon is known as asymptomatic viral shedding and has been demonstrated in well-controlled clinical investigations. Most recently, persons who never recall having had an outbreak of genital herpes, but who have had positive blood tests for antibodies to herpes, also have been demonstrated to shed the virus occasionally from lips or genital skin. It has been demonstrated that persons who take acyclovir daily have reduced amounts of the virus in the absence of symptoms or lesions. The same is probably true of the newer drugs, famciclovir and valacyclovir. It is logical that taking one of these three drugs everyday would reduce the chances of passing the virus to an uninfected partner, but this has not yet been proven.

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What Is The Treatment

Shingles usually clears on its own in a few weeks, and seldom recurs. Pain-relievers are usually required during the acute stages of shingles.If diagnosed early, oral anti-viral drugs can be prescribed. These are routinely prescribed for severe cases of shingles with eye involvement and for patients with decreased immune function.Post hepatic neuralgia can be treated in a number of different ways depending on the severity of the pain.

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What Does Shingles Feel Like

Burning or tingling pain in a small section on one side of the body is typically the first sign of shingles. For some people it can be so intense that even the slightest touch can cause severe pain.

A chickenpox rash often occurs all over the body, whereas a shingles rash usually affects one area. It often strikes on the torso, wrapping your waist in a band-like stripe, or can occur on your face. It looks like fluid-filled blisters.

Other shingles symptoms include itching or numbness. Shingles can also cause fever, headache, and fatigue.

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What Does A Shingles Rash Look Like At First

The typical shingles red rash or blisters occur after pain, itching, and tingling. They are usually limited to one side of the face and body.

• Shingles on the face, scalp, mouth, and ear

Shinglesrash and blisters appear on one side of the face extending to the scalp and ear.

If the rash involves the ear, it can lead to hearing loss, imbalance, and weakness of the facial muscles. Shingles rash on the scalp causes pain while combing or brushing and bald patches. Shingles can occur in the mouth and are usually very painful, causing pain while eating and change in taste.

• Shingles of the eye and forehead

Rash and blisters appear around the eye, over the eyelids and one side of the forehead, extending to the tip of the nose. Patients present with burning or throbbing in the eye, with watering of the eyes, swelling, and blurred vision.

Pain may be present after the rash disappears due to nerve damage but eventually improves. Without treatment, it can lead to corneal damage and vision loss.

• Shingles on the waist and back

Rash and blisters appear on one side of the waist and back in a stripe pattern, extending up to the lower back.

• Shingles on the buttocks

Shingles rash and blisters appear on the buttocks, usually on one side.

Shingles Or Something Else

Small blisters that appear only on the lips or around the mouth may be cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters. Theyre not shingles, but are instead caused by the herpes simplex virus. Itchy blisters that appear after hiking, gardening, or spending time outdoors could be a reaction to poison ivy, oak, or sumac. If you arent sure whats causing your rash, see your healthcare provider.

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When To Contact A Doctor

Its important to visit your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you have shingles, especially if youre somebody at an increased risk of developing it.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends visiting a dermatologist or other healthcare professional within 3 days to prevent long-term complications.

Shingles typically clears up within a few weeks and does not commonly recur. If your symptoms have not lessened within 10 days, contact a doctor for a follow-up and reevaluation.

Is Stress A Risk Factor For Shingles

You may have heard that someone got shingles because they were stressed, perhaps after the death of a relative, soon after a divorce, or at the end of a difficult semester at school.

Clinical Infectious Diseases

Theres some controversy about the matter, says Safdieh. We know for a fact that stress can have an impact on the function of the immune system. If theres stress, immunity is depressed, and I certainly see patients who tell me they were having a lot of stress when they got shingles. But, he adds, there are many people who are stressed and dont get shingles, and many people who get them while theyre on vacation.

If there is a link between stress and shingles, its probably not that the stress itself is putting a strain on the immune system it may be that stress creates conditions that lower immunity. Keep in mind, says Safdieh, that when youre stressed, you dont sleep and you dont eat, and all these factors can play a role.

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Why Does Shingles Appear Mostly On One Side Or In One Area Of The Body

The virus travels in specific nerves, so you will often see shingles occur in a band on one side of the body. This band corresponds to the area where the nerve transmits signals. The shingles rash stays somewhat localized to an area it does not spread over your whole body. The torso is a common area, as is the face.

What Causes Shingles In A Child

After a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in the bodys nerve cells but is inactive. Years later, the varicella-zoster virus can become active again. The virus can then cause a red rash or small blisters, usually on one side of the body. The rash or blisters spread along a nerve pathway where the virus was living.

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What Are Treatments For Shingles

Effective treatments are available to help lessen the impact of shingles. For best prognosis and fastest recovery, early start of oral antiviral pills is most important. All shingles cases will eventually resolve with or without treatment.

Treatment started at the earliest stage of symptoms is helpful in shortening the duration and severity of the symptoms. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl may be used for itching, as well as oatmeal baths and calamine lotion. Analgesic medications like ibuprofen , Tylenol, or Vicodin can be used for severe pain.

The most difficult complication of shingles tends to be the residual pain that may last in the area for months or years. Chronic pain lasting more than six weeks after the onset of shingles is called postherpetic neuralgia . Antiviral medications including acyclovir , if given within the first 48-72 hours of the development of shingles, can help reduce the length and severity of postherpetic neuralgia. Additional treatments are available for PHN.

Shingles is generally not contagious to those who have had chickenpox. Rarely, it may cause problems in pregnant women, infants, immunocompromised individuals, or people who have never had chickenpox. Touching the blisters or blister fluid may cause transmission of the varicella virus.

S Of The Shingles Rash

If you have a rash of blisters on your skin or a rash that looks like any shown below, see your doctor immediately for a diagnosis. If you have shingles, its important to get treatment, preferably within 2 to 3 days.

If youve had the rash for longer than 2 to 3 days, its still important to see your doctor.

A typical shingles rash

Doctors often refer to this rash as the shingles band because it looks like a band that appears on one area of your body, as shown here.

A rash on one side of the body

A key that you have shingles is that the rash only develops on one side of your body.

Close-up of a shingles rash

The shingles rash often causes a cluster of tiny blisters. You may notice that the skin beneath the blisters is red and inflamed, as shown here.

The rash will also feel painful.

Blistering shingles rash on a mans chest

Although the rash can begin in one area, you may notice that a few scattered blisters develop in other areas, as shown here.

Shingles rash on the palm of a mans hand

While shingles tends to develop on your body or face, it can appear anywhere on your skin.

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How Is Shingles Treated In A Child

Treatment will depend on your childs symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Treatment right away with antiviral medicine may help lessen how long the symptoms last and how serious they are. These antiviral medicines work better the sooner they are started. Your child may be given acyclovir, famcyclovir, or valacyclovir. Talk with your childs healthcare providers about the risks, benefits, and possible side effects of all medicines.

Ask the healthcare provider about over-the-counter pain medicine. You may be able to give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and discomfort. Don’t give ibuprofen to a child younger than 6 months old, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Don’t give aspirin to children. Aspirin can cause a serious health condition called Reye syndrome.

If your childs pain is severe, the healthcare provider may prescribe stronger pain medicine.

Can Piriformis Syndrome Be Prevented Or Avoided

Once your symptoms improve, you may need to change your activities to avoid developing piriformis syndrome again. The following are some tips to help prevent piriformis syndrome:

• Exercise regularly, but always stretch first.
• Maintain good posture when youre sitting, driving, or standing.
• Dont lift by bending over. Lift an object by bending your knees and squatting to pick up the object. Keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body. Avoid twisting your body while lifting.
• Avoid sitting or lying down for long periods of time in a position that puts too much pressure on your buttocks.

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