Does this look that bad to any one else?

[Gillbot]

I think it looks worse today, Doc tomorrow for sure!

 

[Gillbot]

New doc thinks this is shingles.... FUCK... I got the damn herp!

 

[olds]

New doc thinks this is shingles.... FUCK... I got the damn herp!

You're over 60?

 

[esquared]

New doc thinks this is shingles.... FUCK... I got the damn herp!

From when you had chicken pox as a kid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster

 

[Gillbot]

You're over 60?

no, but I sure feel like it some says.

From when you had chicken pox as a kid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_zoster

Yeah, just now finding that out. Thanks to SunnyD for multiple links after he lol'ed hysterically.

EDIT: I still don't think that's it. There is zero blistering and there never has been any blistering.

 

[DrPizza]

The wound nurse who I beckoned to stand over my shoulder said, "that's not shingles." She said if those other things didn't work, she'd try an anti-fungal creme.

*My* theory (not hers) - wash your clothing better - if it's something from contact (you didn't see yourself get bit; just assumed it was a bite because there's a little hole?) it's possible that it was carried on clothing. E.g., if you brushed up against a poison ivy leaf, or it got into a boot, it would cause a similar looking rash over a small area. 2 months later, if you put that same boot on, those oils that cause poison ivy (poison oak, etc.) are still going to be there. That would also explain why it's a close overlap, but not perfect.

edit: doesn't look like a typical "bad" case of poison ivy, but I get into the stuff enough times (got some on my arms now from doing some fencing last week) that yes, it kind of looks like a very mild exposure.

 

[DaTT]

You're over 60?

I had shingles in high school.

 

[Gillbot]

The wound nurse who I beckoned to stand over my shoulder said, "that's not shingles." She said if those other things didn't work, she'd try an anti-fungal creme.

*My* theory (not hers) - wash your clothing better - if it's something from contact (you didn't see yourself get bit; just assumed it was a bite because there's a little hole?) it's possible that it was carried on clothing. E.g., if you brushed up against a poison ivy leaf, or it got into a boot, it would cause a similar looking rash over a small area. 2 months later, if you put that same boot on, those oils that cause poison ivy (poison oak, etc.) are still going to be there. That would also explain why it's a close overlap, but not perfect.

edit: doesn't look like a typical "bad" case of poison ivy, but I get into the stuff enough times (got some on my arms now from doing some fencing last week) that yes, it kind of looks like a very mild exposure.

I know what poison ivy is, this is not it. I'm deathly allergic to poison ivy and any contact I have with it usually ends up with a rush trip to the ER and some unpleasant days recovering.

The first instance was diagnosed as a spider bite based on the mark at the center of the initial rash area. The 2nd round (3 months later) doesn't appear to have a bite mark, it's just the rash. Due to the lack of a 2nd bite mark, the 2nd doctor said "shingles" without batting an eye.

It could be a rash from something other than poison ivy though, as both times I was in the back yard and shed the day prior. While getting the riding mower out of the shed, it very well could be a spider bite from one on/near the tractor as I climb on. As a precaution, I've cleaned out the shed and plan to spray it with bug killer before re-entry. It's just odd that i've been in there MANY times over the past few months and BAM, got it again in nearly the same spot.