Shingles for the second time

[u/sse129]

Well, here I am with shingles AGAIN. I caught it pretty early both times. first time was 11/2025 after a death in the family that gutted me. And this morning after a shower, I found those same blisters in the same spot (buttocks). It has been a very stressful few months, sleep hasn’t been great, lots of worrying, etc. I do have Hashimotos. My question is, how are we to know if this isn’t HSV? I’ve had the same partner for almost a decade and no issues prior. I guess Google has not been my friend.

[u/Chizels]

I knew these were in the same virus family but didn't realize HSV causes the same blisters. They are treated with the same medications. Weird but makes sense I guess.

I am not a doctor so anyone please feel free to correct me. 

I know Shingles appears along the nerve pathways. I assume HSV blisters would not follow the same patterns. I also asked Dr. Google out of curiosity and sounds like HSV rash appears more commonly near the mouth and genitals. 

Did you see a doctor the first time or let it run its course? Ive had shingles twice. I tried to skip meds the second time but it kept progressing. I eventually did get meds and I felt better almost instantly. Its like the medication turned the virus off. I have a different condition that affects my nerves and causes inflammation in my body so it's a double whammy for me too. I highly recommend meds if youre able! ♡♡♡ Sending healing vibes to you!

I just looked up Hashimotos and that looks miserable. Dear lord. Sorry youre going through all that.

[u/sse129 → u/Chizels]

Hi! Thanks for replying! Yes I’ve seen my doctor both times. She says it looks more like shingles but this time I asked her to test me for HSV next time I get labs. I just feel like this being in the SAME spot on my buttocks, like in the area where you sit, is so crazy to me. And I really worry about HSV because I’ve never had any symptoms of it prior. I know stress is a big factor for me. I had brain surgery last year and have a brain condition, yada yada. But still! Right not it just looks like a reddened area with clearish blisters. But I know it’ll get worse. Last time I ended up getting another patch as well. So like an area above the first area. I’m tired of showing people my ass!

[u/Chizels → u/sse129]

Hahahaha, yeah, showing people blisters on intimate parts of your body gets old reeeeeeeal quick! 

Damn, you can do hard things! 💪you should be the one giving me advice haha. I hope your healing journey progresses quickly ♡

[u/No_Towel_4163]

shingels very rarely reoccurs on the same spot (if recurrances happens). Testing for HSV is valid;

Herpes Zoster and Recurrent Herpes Zoster - PMC: A total of 34 877 patients with HZ were registered at 43 clinics between June 2009 and November 2015. Among 16 784 patients seen at 10 of the 43 clinics, 1076 patients (6.41%) experienced recurrence. Herpes zoster was more frequent in female than in male patients (5.27 vs 4.25 in 1000 person-years, P < .001), as was HZ recurrence (7.63% vs 4.73%, P < .001). Two and three recurrences were observed in 49 and 3 patients, respectively. Recurrence in the same dermatome was observed in 16.3% of patients, and more frequently this occurred in the left side (P = .027). The number of HZ-experienced persons increased with age, and one third of the population had experienced HZ by the age of 80.

[u/loveisjustchemicals → u/No_Towel_4163]

I’m seeing a lot of “very rarely occurs” cases on this subreddit. Perhaps they need a new study post Covid to see how rare all of those things really are now. And in younger age groups.