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What Causes Cluster Of Red Colored Bumps On The Mid Line?

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Posted on Mon, 27 Oct 2014
Question: What causes cluster of red colored bumps on the mid line?Is this shingles?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Provide more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I have gone through your query and I have also seen the photograph. I can see a cluster/group of red coloured bumps in the mid-line. I can't make out any vesicles.

Full blown shingles usually presents with grouped, discrete, fluid filled lesions usually arranged in a stripe like pattern on one side of the body. Early lesions may be just red coloured bumps and later on become fluid filled. It is usually accompanied by pain, burning or tingling or sensitivity to touch.

I would like to gather more information from you in order to be able to guide you better.

-Let me know the duration since you noticed the rash?
-Do you have any symptoms like burning/pain/tingling? Or is it itchy?
-Have you had shingles before?
-This photograph is a little blurred. Can you upload a better photograph?

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 minutes later)
Ive had it since sunday, it had fluid in it then and it itches like crazy. I put prescriptiok strength cortisone cream on it and it burned when i did. It doesnt burn at all though regularly .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Seems more like a fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Thanks for the additional information and photograph. I would rather keep a possibility of a fungal infection. Fungal infection can begin as small bumps which may later may spread on to the surrounding skin. Itching is a feature of fungal infection. Shingles on the other hand usually has a burning sensation or painful sensation associated with it.

Has it stayed the same way since you noticed or has it improved or deteriorated?

Cortisone probably burned because you might have scratched it vigorously and made it raw.

I would rather suggest that you try an OTC topical antifungal e.g clotrimazole 1% cream, twice daily for 2 weeks.

An OTC oral antihistamine e,g cetrizine 10 mg once daily would provide you symptomatic relief from itching.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 minutes later)
The bumps have gone down and are almost gone. I only put cortisone on two nights( sunday and monday night). It didnt itch at all yesterday but i notice that when i get warm it will itch like crazy. The reason why i asked is because i have had burning on my face and head now for one month. I had shingles 3 years ago due to an immense amount of stress and now this end of july have had an immense amount of stress andmy face started to become tight. I have recently moved and went to a neurologist and they did an MRI and it was negative for masses or lesions but he gave me lyrica but didnt really diagnose me with anything. I still have the burning on my face and tightness that has creeped up to my eye but it hasnt affected my vision. I went to a spine surgeon and he thinks i have neuralgia and said to get a second opinion at the same practice. I was just concerned that the bumps could have been it but even the spine surgeon said it didnt look like shingles. Thanks for clearing this up as it has weighed heavily on my mind.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I think you should apply an OTC topical anifungal e.g clotrimazole 1% cream, twice daily rather than cortisone.

Cortisone being a steroid, although would decrease itching and redness but that is only because of its antiinflammatory action. Otherwise it does'nt have any role in fungal infection.

I agree with your spine specialist, Even I think that the facial symptoms are nerve related. If I was the treating doctor I would have suggested you an oral Vitamin B 12 supplement in mega doses (750 to 1500 mcg per day) and if that also seems insufficient I would have added gabapentin to it. Both of these are helpful in neuralgic pain of varied etiology e.g herpes zoster associated neuralgic, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy etc

However, you must also inquire about these from your neurologist before trying

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 minutes later)
Thank you for your time! I was just diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in my feet from the spine surgeon though i am not a diabetic. I have fibromyalgia but my spine surgeon is doing his due dilligence to figure out other issues related to my neck, back and leg pain on my left side. I am so glad i used this app to talk to you! I hope if i have any other questions i can get you to talk to. You are thorough and honest and i very much appreciate it .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for appreciating. Sure, I will be glad to help you in future as well.

You can contact me directly: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-kakkar-s/66939

Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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What Causes Cluster Of Red Colored Bumps On The Mid Line?

Brief Answer: Provide more information Detailed Answer: Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic I have gone through your query and I have also seen the photograph. I can see a cluster/group of red coloured bumps in the mid-line. I can't make out any vesicles. Full blown shingles usually presents with grouped, discrete, fluid filled lesions usually arranged in a stripe like pattern on one side of the body. Early lesions may be just red coloured bumps and later on become fluid filled. It is usually accompanied by pain, burning or tingling or sensitivity to touch. I would like to gather more information from you in order to be able to guide you better. -Let me know the duration since you noticed the rash? -Do you have any symptoms like burning/pain/tingling? Or is it itchy? -Have you had shingles before? -This photograph is a little blurred. Can you upload a better photograph? Regards