Last night I noticed a blotchy red rash has appeared on my chest, shoulders and back. It is now more in lumps and a little itchy and burning. I am very sure that it is not caused by clothing/washing powder/food stuffs as all of the things I have used and consumed in last 24hrs are things I use regularly and haven't changed brand or used anything different. It is also unlikely I have contracted a virus since I live in a very socially isolated area and rarely come into contact with other people apart from my parents, who are fine!

So question is, does anybody ever get a rash? I'm not inclined to getting them so this is unusual. The only time I did have one was the very first time my speech went slurry and I collapsed soon after.

Sounds like shingles to me.... did you have chicken pox as a kid?

Yes, when I was 16 months old...

If you had chicken pox, you carry the virus for shingles. That said, I'd get it looked at by your doctor. If it is shingles, you may end up wanting some decent pain killers. Some people get by fine on Tylenol or Motrin; when mine flared up I needed morphine for the pain (it was the only thing that'd kill the pain for me).

There is another reason to get looked at by a doctor.

If it is shingles, if you don't get antiviral drugs within about 72 hours...the virus can damage your nerves and lead to long term or permanent neuropathic pain.

Shingles usually presents on only one side of the body. But sometimes there can be lesions on both right and left in about 10% of people. So doctors will say you don't have it, but you still might. There is a blood test for Herpes Zoster titres of antibodies, which if very elevated, suggest active shingles in hard to diagnose presentations.

So you might want to see your doctor ASAP before the treatment window closes.

I've had shingles before and didn't react within the 72 hour window, but after having it for over a month, I tried L-lysine and it gradually went away. Now I take one L-lysine a day to keep it away. My last break out was in 2009 and I don't want another one.

I hope it's not shingles.

Hi wild cat--just today ----at work by my temple I felt my face started to burn my sect came in office said what happend to your face. I got up went to bathroom and I saw a half dollar red circle on my temple and red rash going down upper part of my cheek bone. i called derm-- said come in-- I was just there friday for biopsy not related to this ---he said I think its contact dermatatis based on rash pattern. I dont think its shingles based on nerve pattern ....since my in almost a half circle. Not sure what that means. He gave me cloderm cream. Not sure if I buy what he says but for now will try it he didint seem to sure of himself. It does burn and I havent changes anything in my home either ...as far as products. Who knows but I will be upset if it turns out to be shingles and he didnt give me the script i read u should have within 72hrs of symptoms ---to help reduce pain by 1/2. always something wrong lately!

I think that it sounds like shingels you should go see your mdoc

Hope everything is in good order now....

My son developed a rash after an operation once, the anesthetic was just wearing off and I watched as a rash on his face and upper body that began as individual red blotches all just started joining together and taking over his body in front of my very eyes. It was brief and went away as quickly as it came.. luckily.