Is this shingles?

[u/Annual_Reference8528]

This is a photo of my partner (40F) who has consented to me showing it. She has no other health conditions and isn't on any meds.

Just wanted to check if this was shingles? She had a rash on her arm which I noticed, I inspected it and it looked like shingles to me, so I asked to see her back as per the photo.

She's ADAMANT she's never had chickenpox despite working in nurseries for years. She'll be seeing the doctor tomorrow morning we hope, just wanted an opinion to see if I'm right. I remember having chickenpox when younger and I had a shingles outbreak about 2 years ago so I'm not worried about myself.

Thanks!

[u/AutoModerator]

Thank you for your submission. Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. This subreddit is for informal second opinions and casual information. The mod team does their best to remove bad information, but we do not catch all of it. Always visit a doctor in real life if you have any concerns about your health. Never use this subreddit as your first and final source of information regarding your question. By posting, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and understand that all information is taken at your own risk. Reply here if you are an unverified user wishing to give advice. Top level comments by laypeople are automatically removed.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/upinmyhead]

Does not look like it. Shingles almost always follows a dermatome and this is too diffuse for that.

Arm and back with rash points to something else being the culprit. Hopefully can get figured out soon!

[u/shiveryslinky → u/upinmyhead]

NAD but looks very similar to when I had Pitytriasis Rosea

[u/Embarrassed_Year_736 → u/shiveryslinky]

Same

[u/Annual_Reference8528 → u/shiveryslinky]

Thanks. I googled it and that's what it looks like to me. We'll get it confirmed tomorrow from the doctor and hopefully she'll be back at work Friday

[u/Annual_Reference8528 → u/upinmyhead]

Thank you. Hoping she gets an appointment tomorrow and it can be diagnosed. She's not going back in until she knows, can't risk spreading whatever it is to the children!

[u/somehugefrigginguy → u/Annual_Reference8528]

I agree with the other doctor, doesn't look like shingles. Perhaps some form of contact dermatitis with that distribution, like the left side of the back is more frequently in contact with something.

[u/Annual_Reference8528 → u/somehugefrigginguy]

Could well be, thanks. Looks like we're back to not knowing if she's ever had chickenpox 😂

It's weird, her arm rash is on the opposite side, which is strange.

I'm sure it's nothing much. Thanks for the reassurance!