This ConsuItation Is For My Father. He Does Not Stay

Posted on Tue, 5 May 2020

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

Tue, 5 May 2020 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : This consuItation is for my father. He does not stay with me and is located in a different city. He has developed a rash on his chest and back a week ago. The rash was in form of blisters and red spots which were quite big and slightly painful. He visited a homeopathic doctor who diagnosed it as a herpes virus infection and gave some medication. The homeopath also advised him to apply the extract of leaves of drumstick tree. While he has started the homeopath medication and applied the extract, the blisters have started drying up and turning black. However, I want to reconfirm if the rashes and blisters are really for herpes or is there any other possibility. I am attaching photographs of the same for reference.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have one through your query and viewed the Images.

Your father has had Herpes Zoster (shingles). It is caused by reactivation of varicella Zoster virus(VZV) and presents in a band shaped distribution with painful fluid filled vesicles, usually on one half of the body. Since the rash seems to be resolving now, I suggest him to use a topical antibiotic cream e.g Soframycin cream, twice daily. I advice him not to put any extract of leaves or home remedy as it may cause irritation and discomfort. The pain of Herpes zoster usually lingers for weeks or months even after the rash has resolved. So kindly let me know if he still has pain over this area?

Hope i have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Thank you for the advise doctor. The response is reassuring. I have the following queries:
1. Can soframycin cream be applied all over area including some blisters which have burst and the red part beyond the skin is visible.
2. He does have pain over the area. Any advise on reducing the pain.
3. Since he is 69 years of age, are there any associated complications that we should be aware of? He is hypertensive and diabetic and hence we are concerned.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Shingles

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Yes, soframycin cream can be used all over the affected area.
He can take a gabapentin/ pregablin (75mg) and methylcobalamin (750-1500mcg) combination tablet, twice daily for pain.
There are no systemic complications of shingles
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar