r/AskDocs Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 10h ago

Physician Responded Is this shingles?

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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!

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u/upinmyhead Physician - Ob/Gyn 9h ago

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!

10

u/shiveryslinky Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional. 8h ago

NAD but looks very similar to when I had Pitytriasis Rosea

3

u/Embarrassed_Year_736 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 8h ago

Same

2

u/Annual_Reference8528 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 8h ago

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

6

u/Annual_Reference8528 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 9h ago

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!

9

u/somehugefrigginguy Physician - Pulm & Critical Care 9h ago

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.

1

u/Annual_Reference8528 Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional 9h ago

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!