Hello, I hope I can find some answers. My son now 13 yr old, went though a traumatic event when he was 10 mo. old. To sum it up, he experienced febrile seizures, stop breathing and had to be airlifted to a children's hospital. About 2-3 days from the hospital he developed a rash on the side of his face, it had small blisters in it, and got larger fast. I took him to multiple doctors but never received clarity. Almost 13 yrs later be still has this to appear. I have come to the conclusion from research that it is a shingle virus. Usually I can catch it and treat before it gets out of hand. It starts off as a reddened circular area, then forms multiple blisters in the redden area. He goes through this usually at least twice a year. I treat with Abreva and it usually clears up. This time, it's not working as effective? Can anyone give me any insight on this? I guess he will have this for the rest of his life.
Hello,
I am sorry that your 13-year-old son is having to deal with whatever this mystery rash may be. It might be shingles have you taken him to the doctor since he's gotten older? I'm sorry this must be very frustrating for you too.
I was wondering if he received the chickenpox vaccine when he was younger?
I am very healthy and I've had recurring single since I was 12 years old.
Sincerely, Thinsport
Tonya
I am sorry for your son getting a recurring rash. It is frustrating to you as the mother, and to him, as it is on his face.
Does it follow a dermatome pattern or are the blisters contained in a circle? How big, ie, what is the diameter of the circle that you mentioned?
Where exactly is it on his face?
Is the rash near the ear or the eye?
Does it cross the midline of the face?
Does he has accompanying symptoms such as headache, fever, chills, and sweating, aches and pains, malaise, exhaustion, and fatigue, headache?
Does he have any pain, such as burning, lancinating, underneath the rash, or itching?
Do the vesicle-blisters have clear fluid initially that scab over?
Have you taken him to a dermatologist when he has the rash?
Dermatologists can do scrapings of the vesicle-blisters with the fluid to ascertain if it is indeed Herpes Zoster-Shingles very accurate.
Blood tests can affirm if he was infected with the chicken pox virus, IgG, IgM-less accurate and time related to the rash.
I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States and have had had Herpes Zoster-Shingles every three to five weeks for the past twenty years in my right ear and twice in my right eye.
Sorry for the delay in responding to your post. My internet provider was down.
Best wishes
Merry Juliana
Bonjour Merry, j'ai lu avec grand intérêt vos réflexions et commentaires sur le zona. Mon fils de 6 ans a eu le zona l'année dernière en novembre. Ce n'était qu'une petite plaque de vésicules juste en dessous de son omoplate, mais malheureusement, nous avons réalisé trop tard qu'il s'agissait d'un zona pour qu'un traitement soit possible. Les vésicules ont disparu assez rapidement, mais près de 5 mois plus tard, le pauvre garçon n'est toujours pas en forme. Il a des épisodes de fatigue, une peau hypersensible ou qui démange, une légère fièvre de temps en temps et même parfois une sensation de brûlure sur la plante des pieds. Je suis sûre qu'il a une NPN (névralgie post-herpétique) mais je n'ai trouvé aucune information sur la façon de gérer cela chez un enfant si jeune. Lorsque je l'ai emmené chez le médecin aujourd'hui, il a été très désinvolte et a même remis en question s'il avait eu le zona en premier lieu malgré le fait que cela avait été diagnostiqué par l'un de ses collègues. Toute suggestion sur la façon d'aider mon fils serait grandement appréciée car je ne sais plus où me tourner.
Hi Lara,
First, I am so sorry for your son and for you. I know that when your son is suffering, you do as well. Physicians can be exceptionally arrogant and condescending. Some would do well to listen to the mother, and the patient.
Does your son have bouts of itchy or hypersensitive skin where the original rash was under the shoulder blade, accompanied by fatigue, an elevated temperature, and burning soles of feet, all about the same time?
Is he slightly irritable or cranky with this, maybe with aches and pains?
Is the dismissive physician a pediatrician or family practice physician?
How many bouts, excluding the original episode of Herpes Zoster Shingles has he had?
Has he been healthy, otherwise? Was he premature?
Sorry for all the questions, but I need to get a clear picture of what is happening to your son.
I look forward to hearing from you, Lara.
Best Wishes
Merry Juliana
Merci pour votre réponse rapide Merry.
Oui, tous les symptômes apparaissent en même temps. Il devient grognon et irritable et souffre également de douleurs, en particulier dans le dos et le cou. Je pense que cela s'est produit maintenant 3-4 fois depuis le premier épisode de zona et qu'il va généralement bien entre les épisodes, bien que je dirais pas avec les mêmes niveaux de baies qu'avant.
Il est né à 37 semaines, donc juste pas prématuré et a eu la varicelle très légèrement bébé. Il n'a pas eu d'autres problèmes de santé.
Merci pour votre temps Merry.
* niveaux d'énergie, pas niveaux de baies !
Lara,
He is having recurrent Herpes Zoster Shingles without the rash, or "Zoster Sine Herpete." I have Herpes Zoster Shingles in my right ear every three to five weeks for the past twentyone years.
The signs and symptoms you describe are classic for recurrent episodes of Herpes Zoster Shingles. You are a very bright caring mother for observing and listening to your son's signs and symptoms. The varicella virus ccirculates in the entire body every episode and causes the flu-like symptoms, except for the respiratory system.
First, find an excellent pediatrician for your son. May I ask where you live?
I am concerned as your child may be immunocompromised. No child should have recurrent episodes of Herpes Zoster Shingles like that. You need to bring him to an excellent pediatrician who actually listens to the mother and will work him up. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I have become a tigress on behalf of my son, when necessary.
Lara, you are quite welcome. I am very happy to help you, your precious son, and everyone who suffers from this disease.
Tonya 30863,
Woundering if they were figured out with the mystery rash was?
Sincerely, Thinsport