Suggest Remedies For Pain And Tingling On Face

Posted on Mon, 30 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 30 May 2016 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I want to know if I have shingles on my face , herpes, or derma problems.I was in the sune last Saturday and got a little burnt. This started on Tuesday with some pain, and tingling. then by Tuesday it started to swell and itch. Now it is large on my face and is speading. I have been putting acyclvir cream on it as i have it for cold sores. Please let me know I will try to attach pics below

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be shingles

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I have again reviewed the attached photographs and it can be shingles.
If I was your treating doctor I would recommend you to start with oral antivirals like tablet valciclovir 1 gram thrice daily for 7 days and apply calamine lotion on the affected areas twice daily till the time the rash disappears.
These are prescription drugs and you need to see the doctor in person to get them.
Topical aciclovir cream is not effective in the treatment of shingles.
There is no need to use it.
Besides this avoid direct sun exposure and don't rub or scratch on the affected side of the face.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (2 hours later)

What else can I do if I don't want to take oral meds? Please

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
For shingles oral antivirals are must

Detailed Answer:
For shingles oral anti virals are a must.
You can consult a local doctor and get yourself clinically examined to confirm the diagnosis of shingles.
If it is confirmed then you need to take oral medication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (7 hours later)

But I read that if you don't take it in 72 hours of onset it won't work. It has been started a week ago! It is memorial day and no DR. office open. I don't want to go to the hospital. Any other suggestions? What would happen to me if I don't take the oral antibiotics? Can I keep using the acyclovir ointment on it?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Chances of complications high if antivirals are not taken

Detailed Answer:
It is usually recommended to start anti virals as early as possible preferably within the first 72 hours.
If that is not possible then as early as possible and it can be taken even after 1 week of eruption.
These are usually given to minimise the complications, post herpetic neuralgia and to arrest the progression of the rash.
If you avoid antivirals then there are chances of complications and post herpetic neuralgia but the risk varies from patient to patient.
If its not possible to take antivirals today you can consult a doctor tomorrow and get an examination done.
Aciclovir doesn't have much benefit in the treatment of shingles.
You can stop using it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (2 hours later)

Shingles is not brought out by the sun! What about PLE?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
PLE is definitely related to sun exposure

Detailed Answer:
Yes shingles is not caused by sunexposure but PLE definitely is related to sun exposure.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

So what do I have?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looking like either shingles or photo dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
According to your complaints and pictures uploaded it can be either shingles or photo dermatitis.
It is not looking like PLE.
That's why I asked you to consult a doctor and get it examined clinically to confirm the diagnosis.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar