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What Causes Shingles?
Question: Hi my daughter is 4 and had a small round bite on her right arm about 5 days ago. Now she has about 6-8 similar marks that first swelled, then oozed and hurt her after. She hasn't complained of itching. Today is the first day, 5 days after first sign that she is acting a bit mellow and emotional. She also is affected by quite a few food allergies and eczema. Do you know what this could be? Any possible chance it's chicken pox?
Brief Answer:
This is not chicken pox,may be shingles or dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
The way you have described the lesion, it appears to be vesicular eruption. In this type of rash first there is redness followed by swelling.The swelling is gradually enlarged with fluid inside and ruptures in 3-4 days. Subsequently lesion heals and may be associated with itching at that time.
The common causes of vesicular eruptions are shingles (caused by herpes zoster a virus),chicken pox,papulovesicular eczema(contact/allergic),impetigo(bacterial infection).There can be other uncommon causes.
Chicken pox usually starts from trunk and within three to four days whole body get involved.
The localized eruption is most likely due to eczema or shingles.
Eczema usually accompanied with itching.As the lesion are not itchy it appears to be shingles(this is usually associated with pain).
It is very difficult to diagnose skin disease without direct examination.
Please send me a pic of the lesion if it is there so that I better help you out.
The management of shingles is local application of calamine lotion(soothening agent) with acyclovir ointment and may be oral acyclovir.
In few cases it subsides even without any treatment.
I would suggest you to get her evaluated by a pediatrician for direct clinical evaluation and the management accordingly.
I would be glad to answer if you have any further query.
Wish your child good health
Regards
This is not chicken pox,may be shingles or dermatitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
The way you have described the lesion, it appears to be vesicular eruption. In this type of rash first there is redness followed by swelling.The swelling is gradually enlarged with fluid inside and ruptures in 3-4 days. Subsequently lesion heals and may be associated with itching at that time.
The common causes of vesicular eruptions are shingles (caused by herpes zoster a virus),chicken pox,papulovesicular eczema(contact/allergic),impetigo(bacterial infection).There can be other uncommon causes.
Chicken pox usually starts from trunk and within three to four days whole body get involved.
The localized eruption is most likely due to eczema or shingles.
Eczema usually accompanied with itching.As the lesion are not itchy it appears to be shingles(this is usually associated with pain).
It is very difficult to diagnose skin disease without direct examination.
Please send me a pic of the lesion if it is there so that I better help you out.
The management of shingles is local application of calamine lotion(soothening agent) with acyclovir ointment and may be oral acyclovir.
In few cases it subsides even without any treatment.
I would suggest you to get her evaluated by a pediatrician for direct clinical evaluation and the management accordingly.
I would be glad to answer if you have any further query.
Wish your child good health
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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