Last week I developed a very painful linear skin rash just below my
breast. I have not been able to sleep because of the pain. Do I need an
antibiotic?
From what you describe, I think you may have shingles. Shingles is a viral infection that causes a
very painful skin rash. Even though shingles can occur anywhere on the body, it
tends to occur in a linear fashion just underneath the armpit and extends to
the chest. Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same
virus that causes chickenpox. For some unknown reason, once some people have
had chicken pox, the virus becomes dormant in the nerve
tissue. Many years later, the virus is activated and causes shingles.
Shingles is not a life threatening condition but it is very painful and annoying.
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