Had Shingles Vaccine At Base Of Spine And Itchy Spots Appeared. Any Thoughts?

Question: Age 60, 180 lbs. Itchy spots at base of spine. Area is hot like a fever but does not have a burning sensation, just major itch, and if apply a cold pack the itch calms down. Have had the Shingles vaccine. It is the only area. Some times they become blister like then scab over - 2 weeks period. Usually area is size of nickle when at its worst. Not painful just irritating.

Good morning Dr. Vachharajani,

Thank you for the prompt response.

Actually, this is not a result of the vaccine. I just got vaccinated yet I have dealt with this for a little over 10 years. Because I am turning 60 this year and have a family history (grandmother at time in 70's and a sister who actually got hospitalized with shingles at age 44) the doctor just vaccinated me at age 58 stating that they don't vaccinate anyone under 60.

So where it may be a case of actual Shingles, you are the doctor, I am not. I've had one doctor say it is and one Doctor say it is not. Neither prescribed anything w/ the exception of the "Not" Dr. saying use anti-bacterial soap (did that and no difference).

Seems to me to be related with getting a cold or becoming extremely stressed (which may spawn a 'Stress Cold', once again, I'm not a doctor. Another time to develop the spot is if I am doing a lot of sitting such as in a recliner or driving which provides a habitat of heat and rubbing/friction.

Thank the heavens it is ONLY in this location on my body and may only develop as 1 small blister or a group resulting in the size of a nickle. My first thought was ringworm but it is not a ring, it is a cluster and never more than 1 at a time. Then and actually now I think more of emphantigo however it does not spread, again thank the heavens). I even thought maybe it was related to a bad yeast infection at one time.

It is never painful as described with Shingles. It is just extemely itchy which I believe is the build up of the fluid developing into the blister(s). I don't feel the area as hot, yet it feels hot to the touch. I do not recall running a fever, even a low grade fever with the onset or during unless it is one of the times a cold comes along with it. I will have to pay more attention.

How do I handle it? If opportunity is available I use a cold pack, this seems to keep area from developing into the large nickle size spot. It also temporarily minimized the itchiness. Lately I will use the over the counter cortizone creme to minimize the itchiness. Note I live in Northern California, a dry and moderately temporate climate.

Also, I probably should, however, I rarely feel the need to go to the Doctors. I feel healthy enough and only go when there is an extreme need or time for a routine test, i.e. pap, mamogram.

I have grandchildren and just want to make sure this is not something contagious and pass on to them. Thus I am a firm believer of singing a song while we wash our hands and use papertowels to dry them.

Last thought is this is something bacterial/fungus related that when stressed, ones auto amune system just can't fight off. Maybe Shingles fits into that category, I don't know, I'm not a doctor.

Happy Easter to you and your family,
XXXXXX

Dear Dr. Vachharajani,

Thank for this most recent response. My apologies for the first communication and I see where it was mis-leading.

So what you say now, sounds much more logical and I will give this a try. I will also go ahead and schedule an appointment with a physician as I have a new lesion formed and he/she may have a look at least at stage 2 (blister). It would be so wonderful if they were proactive enough to pop it and grab a culture and figure out once and for all what this is.

Thank you again,

Kind regards,
XXXXXX