Question 1

is it possible for you to have shingles break out on both sides of the body at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes it is possible: Shingles virus follows a dermatomal pattern and when found on both sides of the body it is many times around the abdomen/chest area or thoracic back area.  Another midline bilateral area it can be found is on the face.

Question 2

can you get shingles on both sides of your buttocks at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, but very: rare. Shingles is essentially always expressed along distribution of peripheral nerve fibers, dermatomes, on one side. It is extremely rare (reasons unknown) to express on both sides, in the same or very similar distribution. If the distribution does not follow dermatome pattern, then also very inconsistent with Shingles. Thus what you are concerned about is unlikely to be Shingles.

Question 3

i have a rash i believe to be shingles based on the look & symptoms. 1 dr said since i have it on both sides,it can't be. what is actually true?

Accepted Answer

Your doctor is right: It is very rare to have herpes zoster (shingles) on both sides of the body. Almost certainly your rash is something else. See your doctor in person and take it from there. Good luck.

Question 4

i'm covered with a rash that looks a lot like shingles, covering both sides. scabby and weeping. it isn't in a specific location either. what is it?

Accepted Answer

Poison Ivy possibly: Many different things can cause skin reactions like this. In a healthy 17 year old poison ivy (or similar plant) is high on the list. The only way to be sure is to have an evaluation by your M.D. And review with them what you may have been exposed too.

Question 5

i got shingles on both sides of my body from the waist down front and back. i am still dealing with numbness, tingling waist down a year later. help?

Accepted Answer

Sorry some meds help: It sounds like you have a condition called post-herpetic neuralgia - the nerves where the shingles hid are still sensitive.  It can continue to do so in some people up to 2 years from the incident.  There are several meds in the market for it - check with your doc - they are designed to decrease firing of these nerves.  They do eventually go back to normal.

Question 6

i have been diagnosed with shingles about 1 and a half months ago. the rash is on both sides of my cheekbone .the rash has reoccurred. from saturday. i have dull headaches all the time and really not feeling great. please help?

Accepted Answer

Doubt shingles: Shingles is a re-activation of a dormant chickenpox virus. That virus was pushed into dormancy by the bodies immune system and resides in nerve roots near the spinal cord. One consistent feature of shingles is emergence on one side of the body, having traveled down the nerve on that side. If your rash appears on both sides or crosses the midline, I doubt it is shingles.

Question 7

in horrible pain. is it possible to have shingles w/o rash on both sides of body? dr says no. skin numb/piainful. hurts to move. want blood test.

Accepted Answer

Get checked up: Shingles causes a painful rash which may appear as a stripe of blisters on the trunk of the body. It is possible for pain to persist even after the rash is gone. This is called postherpetic neuralgia. But more of a history and exam are needed. A full work up with blood tests is a good idea. I suggest going to a clinic to get examined.

Question 8

41 years old. shingles for 3rd time in less than 2 years. always on both sides. sick of meds. don't seem to work. feet and legs are covered this time. last time was face and shoulders. time before was feet and belly and back.

Accepted Answer

Doubt shingles: First, confirm the diagnosis. Very atypical story for shingles for several reasons (recurrent; both sides; multiple locations; non-response to anti-herpes meds). Probably not shingles this time. See a doctor ASAP, the sooner the better for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. If recurrent shingles is confirmed, you'll need evaluation for possible serious underlying health problem. Good luck

Question 9

how long does the shingles last on side?

Accepted Answer

See below: Herpes zoster usually clears up in 2 to 3 weeks and rarely returns. If the virus affects the nerves that control movement (the motor nerves), you may have temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis.

Sometimes, the pain in the area where the shingles occurred may last from months to years. This pain is called postherpetic neuralgia.

Question 10

shingles on both side of the body at the same time, what could be wrong?

Accepted Answer

Shingles: Shingles in more than one are of the body can just be "dumb luck" or it can be the sign of a problem with the immune system. Only your doctor can answer that question for sure. You need to be examined.

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Doctor answers about:

Can shingles be on both sides

A member asked:

Is it possible for you to have shingles break out on both sides of the body at the same time?

A member asked:

Can you get shingles on both sides of your buttocks at the same time?

A member asked:

I have a rash i believe to be shingles based on the look & symptoms. 1 dr said since i have it on both sides,it can't be. what is actually true?

A member asked:

I'm covered with a rash that looks a lot like shingles, covering both sides. scabby and weeping. it isn't in a specific location either. what is it?

A member asked:

I got shingles on both sides of my body from the waist down front and back. i am still dealing with numbness, tingling waist down a year later. help?

A member asked:

I have been diagnosed with shingles about 1 and a half months ago. the rash is on both sides of my cheekbone .the rash has reoccurred. from saturday. i have dull headaches all the time and really not feeling great. please help?

A member asked:

In horrible pain. is it possible to have shingles w/o rash on both sides of body? dr says no. skin numb/piainful. hurts to move. want blood test.

A member asked:

41 years old. shingles for 3rd time in less than 2 years. always on both sides. sick of meds. don't seem to work. feet and legs are covered this time. last time was face and shoulders. time before was feet and belly and back.

A member asked:

How long does the shingles last on side?

A member asked:

Shingles on both side of the body at the same time, what could be wrong?

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