Skin rash all over the body - what can this be?? *Update: shingles!*

[MittensKittens]

I woke up with itchy arms this morning. When I looked, I noticed a skin rash with blister-like characteristics, like when you fall into poison ivy all over my lower arms. Then, when I undressed to take a shower, I noticed the rash was all over my legs too, on my tummy and back. It itches like crazy and looks terrible.

It was not there yesterday night. I am trying to find out what caused this. We went out for a restaurant meal yesterday, but the kids ate with me and they don't have a rash. Other than that, I had a fever for a couple days last week, and am still coughing a bit but am fine otherwise. Apart from the rash.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be??


**

Thanks, mamas

Turns out I have shingles. I thought I had flu, but it was shingles, which obviously caused the rash too. I don't want to take any antiviral medication because it is (apparently) not compatible with nursing. The rash is itching like hell now. Any thoughts/experiences on how to get through shingles quickly and painlessly would be great!

[SandyMom]

Hives maybe?
Try looking at google images and see if it looks like that.

[balancedmama]

Can you post a pic?

[ian'smommaya]

what did you have to eat? sometimess people are allergic to something, or have a reaction to something ever when other people (your kids) dont. for instance ds is allergic to soy, i am not.

[balancedmama]

Shingles? Didn't you say it was on both sides? That would be really rare for shingles.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by balancedmama

Shingles? Didn't you say it was on both sides? That would be really rare for shingles.

Yes, it is literally everywhere now. I also have a fever, dizziness, a bad headache and no appetite at all. I had another phone consultation with another doctor, because after reading lots on the web, I didn't think it was shingles either. This doctor suggested I have scarlet fever and insisted I go to the ER at the clinic for infectious diseases right away. I live in Eastern Europe FWIW and the medical system lacks seriously. For now, I just decided to wait it out at home. Both shingles and scarlet fever go away on their own in the end, from what I have read. Mind you, I do feel pretty sucky.

Thanks for your input in any case!

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by ian'smommaya

what did you have to eat? sometimess people are allergic to something, or have a reaction to something ever when other people (your kids) dont. for instance ds is allergic to soy, i am not.

I didn't have anything to eat I never ate before, so I don't think it is an allergic reaction.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Did you by any chance take any pictures? I am thinking I might have shingles but not 100% sure and pics would help.

[sophiesgrandma]

You have to be careful with scarlet fever. It comes from strep and can go into rheumatic fever which can lead to heart damage. If you think it's scarlet fever you should see an md. Shingles only affects one side of the body.