3 Reasons to Seek Prompt Advice About Possible Shingles

When you call about a new painful rash, have the start date and its location ready. Mention changes near your face before moving on to the rest of the history.

Three reasons the call matters

1. The rash is recent. Tell the clinician when pain began and when the rash first appeared. Ask about treatment even if more than three days have passed instead of deciding the opportunity has ended.¹
2. The eye or nose is involved. Seek urgent advice for a rash on the nose or around the eye, or changes in vision. These details need attention in the first part of the call.¹
3. Your circumstances need extra assessment. Seek urgent advice if you are pregnant or have a severely weakened immune system. Tell the clinician if you are breastfeeding and the rash is on the breast.¹

Make the call easier to follow

A short note can contain four entries: where the rash is, when it started, what the pain feels like and the medicines you take. Put your questions below those entries. Ask whom to contact if symptoms change before the planned review.

Skin, Head to Toe includes a Skin Log and red-flag visit cards. Use them to organize your observations and the questions you bring to care. See the book.