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Full body non shingles rash 3-4 weeks after taking the shingrix vax
I took the shingles vax at the end of November 2025. Around or just pas Christmas I developed a severe red rash all over my body. It was itchy and my body was flushed all over. Face was not affected. I tried Prednisone and reactine which is a anti histamine. I also was told to use steroid ointment all over my body. The rash seemed to improve but not clear. Now near the end of feb 2026 the rash has not abated and is getting worse. The skin is very sensitive to my finger nails and flushed red. The itch occurs in various areas but seems to be controlled by the extra strength lotions I am using. The dermatologist seems to think its a shingrex vaccine reaction. It is the only change I have had in my day to day. Has anyone had this reaction and if so what did you do? I am 76 and over the last month have been puing on weight Thank you in advance
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15 years ago I developed dermatomyositis after being exposed to large doses of chemicals from new commercial carpeting being installed in my workplace. The carpet company did not pretreat the carpeting to get the chemicals out before it was installed. My immune system went haywire, attacking my muscles and my skin head to toe. I was on prednisone for a couple of years and prescribed methotrexate, most recently azothioprene along with the methotrexate. After the covid vaccines came out, I again had a massive flare up from the vaccines. The skin rash was so intense it burned my skin all over my body, most fiercely on my neck and scalp, killing my hair follicles causing my hair to fall out. Very little has grown back. Even standing in the shower under cool water was so painful! My primary doctor and rheumatologist keep wanting me to get the shingles vaccine, but I refuse. I cannot afford another reaction to a chemical in my body. It might help you to talk about Methotrexate and/or Azathioprine with your physician. The rash you describe especially the redness on your hands and fingers and cuticle area sounds similar to the dermatomyositis that I experience. I occasionally will get the standard flu vaccine(if I'm not experiencing a flareup) but will never get another Covid vaccine! Shingrix does not have case studies for the immunosupressed and the side effects sound horrible. It's not for me. Best wishes!
@zaznagarb
I am experiencing a full body rash and have been told a) it’s not shingles and b) was quite patronizing told that’s not a typical reaction, to get a rash, from the vaccine or booster.
As I wait to get into the doctor, and on the off chance you’re still responding to these comments, could you share the link where you read about the Shingrix can cause our reactions.
@chendry Some individuals experiencing Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).