Suggest Treatment For Painful Rash On Trunk

Posted on Fri, 5 Dec 2014

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

Fri, 5 Dec 2014 Answered on

Tue, 30 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, my boyfriend was in a fight with someone, a few days ago, he sent me pictures of some kind of rash he has now that is very painful, can I send the pics via email to someone and see what it could be?

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Answer few questions, Post more photos...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HCM...

Your friend is having rash on one side of trunk in a zonal form. And it is painful.

I would like to have answers of few queries...

- is it for the first time he developed rash?
- Any other disease he has like Diabetes Mellitus, HIV or other?
- Any history of medicine he takes?
- does the rash extend to front part of the trunk?
- Past history of any disease or surgery?

Please answer above queries and post the photos of front part of the trunk.

Thanks...

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Ilyas Patel (16 minutes later)

No, only on the back. He is in much pain.
No past disease or surgery

Do you have an answer

Answered by Dr. Ilyas Patel (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes zoster..most probably

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome back..

Though the photos attached are not clear enough, it seems that your friend may be having most probably herpes zoster. Still, it has to be confirmed after consulting the dermatologist personally.

Antiviral like acyclovir, pain killer like tramadol and steroid in tapering dose may be considered. Steroid might prevent post herpetic neuralgia. Silver sulfadiazine cream may be applied on the lesions.

Let him take complete rest for few days.

I hope this would help him in the management of his disease.

Still any query..you may ask.

Thanks.

Dr. Ilyas Patel MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari