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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Inflammation On The Upper Back?

My mother is 94 years old and has an area on her right upper back that is red and warm to the touch. She complains about it be itchy. I first noticed it on Sunday on her right arm, but that area is no longer warm to the touch and the redness there is very minimal. It s now the area on the back I m concerned about.
Thu, 27 Jul 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM.
I understand your concern.
Redness,warm to touch and itchy over back can be due to impending shingles(herpes zoster) infection.
-You need to keep a watch if any fluid filled blisters develop at site,and visit as early as possible to physician ,if in case any blister appear over that area.
If I were your treating doctor,I would recommend
---tablet Acyclovir 200 mg thrice for 3-5 days if it happens to be herpes zoster infection.
- apply calamine lotion locally for soothing.
-local cold compress 3-4 times a day
Second but less likely possibility is cellulitis.It is accompanied by pain,swelling ,tenderness at the site.If it occurs,it can be treated with a course of antibiotics like amoxicillin or cephalexin.
-besides,blood glucose test needs to be done to rule out diabetes mellitus.
Hope this information helps.
Thanks and regards.
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What Causes Inflammation On The Upper Back?

Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Redness,warm to touch and itchy over back can be due to impending shingles(herpes zoster) infection. -You need to keep a watch if any fluid filled blisters develop at site,and visit as early as possible to physician ,if in case any blister appear over that area. If I were your treating doctor,I would recommend ---tablet Acyclovir 200 mg thrice for 3-5 days if it happens to be herpes zoster infection. - apply calamine lotion locally for soothing. -local cold compress 3-4 times a day Second but less likely possibility is cellulitis.It is accompanied by pain,swelling ,tenderness at the site.If it occurs,it can be treated with a course of antibiotics like amoxicillin or cephalexin. -besides,blood glucose test needs to be done to rule out diabetes mellitus. Hope this information helps. Thanks and regards.