topic Re: Help for damaged shingles skin in Wellness

Help for damaged shingles skin

Growing — Mon, 31 May 2021 00:38:14 GMT

I had bad shingles a year ago and it really damaged the skin at the top of my inner thigh where your underwear elastic touches. Where it folds into your body. The skin is still really thin feeling, probably scarred as the shingles outbreak was huge and unbearable, and it still tears once in a while. I mostly wear long boy shorts underwear to avoid the elastic on that area. The shingles are gone but I want to thicken the skin so it no longer tears. Anyone have any ideas for what might help build back the skin? Would face wrinkle cream help, like retinol? Does anyone have a good skin product? Thanks!!!!

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Kachina624 — Mon, 31 May 2021 00:44:00 GMT

@Growing Sorry to hear about your shingles. I'm sure it was a painful, horrifying experience. However, I don't think anyone here is qualified to advise you on how to thicken your skin, if that is even possible. You need to consult a dermatologist. I'd probably do just as you are doing now.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Love my grandkids — Mon, 31 May 2021 00:54:38 GMT

@Growing Oh you poor woman. I can't imagine how awful that was. I agree with Kachina, it's best to see a dermatologist for such specified kind of medical advice.

You wouldn't want to use something suggested by a stranger that could do further damage to your skin or to your overall health.

Wish you all the best.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

patbz — Mon, 31 May 2021 00:56:01 GMT

This is a very temporary fix but when I had shingles on one side of my trunk, including where my bra went, I sprayed on Nu Skin and was easily able to wear a bra. Good luck with your skin issue.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Love my grandkids — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:00:44 GMT

@patbz @Growing I think that advice is fine for the bra area BUT I would see a dermatologist since the skin is in a more delicate and private area and much more easily prone to damage or infection to that area.

Please get medical advice.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Mindy D — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:08:04 GMT

@Growing wrote:
I had bad shingles a year ago and it really damaged the skin at the top of my inner thigh where your underwear elastic touches. Where it folds into your body. The skin is still really thin feeling, probably scarred as the shingles outbreak was huge and unbearable, and it still tears once in a while. I mostly wear long boy shorts underwear to avoid the elastic on that area. The shingles are gone but I want to thicken the skin so it no longer tears. Anyone have any ideas for what might help build back the skin? Would face wrinkle cream help, like retinol? Does anyone have a good skin product? Thanks!!!!

@Growing @By any chance, while you had the rash, did you put a cortisone cream on it? CC can cause the type of skin damage you are describing.

On a different topic, I agree that you should see a dermatologist. The usual skin condition that people have following shingles is post herpetic neuralgia. What you describe does not sound like PHN.

I too have a skin issue in the same area and I also wear a very loose cotton boxer without electric to avoid irritation. My skin problem is not from shingles. Just letting you know that I literally feel your pain.

I strongly suggest you see a dermatologist.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Growing — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:07:19 GMT

I did use a prescription steroid cream at times but it didn't help at all. So I would say not long enough to thin the skin (I know this but had forgotten so thank you!). I mostly used an OTC shingle cream. Tonight I used a calendula cream. I have also used Lansinoh as a skin barrier. My doctors, PCP and dermatologist don't know when I asked.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

D Kay — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:09:44 GMT

I agree that a dermatologist could give you the best advice. Retinol can be irritating to even normal skin. Have you tried something like vitamin E or Aquaphor Healing Ointment?

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Mindy D — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:13:01 GMT

@Growing wrote:
I did use a prescription steroid cream at times but it didn't help at all. So I would say not long enough to thin the skin (I know this but had forgotten so thank you!). I mostly used an OTC shingle cream. Tonight I used a calendula cream. I have also used Lansinoh as a skin barrier. My doctors, PCP and dermatologist don't know when I asked.

@Growing @Guess what? Your problem is MORE LIKELY NOT FROM SHINGLES; IT'S PROBABLY FROM THE STEROID CREAM. The cream causes thinning skin and the exact kind of problem you describe. I have this problem. You don't have to use it long to thin the skin, even when you buy it OTC if you use more than a tiny amount at a time. Please consider seeing a dermatologist. Get the name of the steroid (cortisone) cream you used to bring in with you. If the steroid cream was left in the fold of the skin it could cause this.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

beach-mom — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:17:51 GMT

@Growing - I agree with everyone else that you should consult a dermatologist. But I will tell you this. My mom had a horrendous case of this. Her doctor told her to get Vitamin E cream, and it became her solution for everything for the rest of her life. When I was expecting she sent me a giant jar in the mail and asked me every time I talked to her if I was using it. I was, and I had no stretch marks.

A doctor will help you more, but it wouldn't hurt to pick up a jar of this at the drugstore.

Good luck. I'm glad you got through this and you're feeling better!

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Mindy D — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:18:38 GMT

@Growing wrote:
I did use a prescription steroid cream at times but it didn't help at all. So I would say not long enough to thin the skin (I know this but had forgotten so thank you!). I mostly used an OTC shingle cream. Tonight I used a calendula cream. I have also used Lansinoh as a skin barrier. My doctors, PCP and dermatologist don't know when I asked.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Growing — Mon, 31 May 2021 01:25:26 GMT

Thanks Mindy, it wasn't left in the fold of the skin as I don't have folded skin there and they prescribed it for my occasional eczema stuff. My derm just told me it's from the shingles blisters having affected the skin, she may not have a clue though! I didn't use it but a few times in tiny tiny amounts so I really think it's more like scar tissue or just damaged from the huge shingles blisters I had there. I would get them once, then again in the same spot. I haven't used it in over a year in that spot and I won't again so I appreciate your reminder!

@Mindy D wrote:
@Growing wrote:
I did use a prescription steroid cream at times but it didn't help at all. So I would say not long enough to thin the skin (I know this but had forgotten so thank you!). I mostly used an OTC shingle cream. Tonight I used a calendula cream. I have also used Lansinoh as a skin barrier. My doctors, PCP and dermatologist don't know when I asked.
@Growing @Guess what? Your problem is MORE LIKELY NOT FROM SHINGLES; IT'S PROBABLY FROM THE STEROID CREAM. The cream causes thinning skin and the exact kind of problem you describe. I have this problem. You don't have to use it long to thin the skin, even when you buy it OTC if you use more than a tiny amount at a time. Please consider seeing a dermatologist. Get the name of the steroid (cortisone) cream you used to bring in with you. If the steroid cream was left in the fold of the skin it could cause this.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Desertdi — Mon, 31 May 2021 03:25:19 GMT

L-lysine.....(a supplement) helps reduce shingles outbreaks. Aloe provides relief for irritated skin.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

decaf — Mon, 31 May 2021 05:11:39 GMT

@Growing I've had shingles twice, the second time after getting both Shingrix vaccines.so I really feel for you. The second time was not too terrible because I called my PCP and started on two RX's right away.

The only lasting effects I've heard of is post hepatic neuralgia (sp?), severe pain for months after the blisters are gone. I think the other(smart) posters may be on to something, cortisone creams, RX and OTC cause thinning of the skin.

Because shingles tends to reoccur in individuals and also many times reappears in the same body area I'd also encourage you to see a dermatologist like other posters have said. Or see a different derm doctor.! You must be so uncomfortable now. And be sure to tell/show the doctor the specific creams and medicines you used. They're the best source of advice and product for this new problem.

I can't stress enough how critical it is to contact your PCP and get on RX medicine immediately if you ever feel like you have shingles again. You only have a 48 hour window for them to work correctly! Let your PCP know about the skin thinning too. Maybe let us know how you're doing, OK?

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

qbetzforreal — Mon, 31 May 2021 05:34:17 GMT

@Growing-Trying applying A & D emollient at bed time.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Shelbelle — Mon, 31 May 2021 13:21:52 GMT

Not an answer to the actual question, but just use this as a reminder to be vacc. against Shingles with Shingrix if you are over 50. It is a 2 injection dose spaced over a few months.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

SilleeMee — Mon, 31 May 2021 13:30:45 GMT

Do not use steroid creams b/c that thins the skin.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

River Song — Mon, 31 May 2021 14:43:40 GMT

You might want to look at skin creams made for radiation relief. My late husband used a radiation relief cream by Ultimate Vitality. Key ingredients are aloe vera, calendula oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamin e and b, green tea, yarrow, spirulina, and lavender. Made in the USA, cruelty free. Got it on Amazon.

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

Seannie — Mon, 31 May 2021 23:13:37 GMT

Like River Song said, radiation treatment creams might help. My radiation oncologist gave me jars of Tulipan Calendula Salve and it saved my skin during breast cancer radiation, seriously works. You can get it online directly from Tulipan or at some Whole Foods stores or some Pharmaca pharmacies.

Seannie

Re: Help for damaged shingles skin

LTT1 — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:09:57 GMT

@Growing

'You might like a zinc oxide cream likeDesitin Diaper Ointment. This is my go to when my skin starts screaming at me!