Grandbaby Has Shingles

Updated on September 29, 2009
T.H. asks from Clovis, NM
6 answers

Hello Ladies,
Today, my daughter and I took my 2 1/2 year old grandbaby to the doctor because last week we noticed that a scratch she had three days prior had turned into a huge scab and was spreading fast. The doc today diagnosed it as Shingles and gave us some antibiotic cream to put on three times a day. If it doesn't get any better we should go in later this week. Have any of you experienced this with your children or grandchildren? How long before it goes away? Yes, I had a few questions for the doc but since she just came back from vacation her office was full and she saw us in less than five minutes and we were on our way. Thanks for any advice or experiences you have with this.

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So What Happened?

Hi again, thanks for your responses ladies. My grand baby is doing MUCH better since the antibiotic cream. No more breakouts and the scabs are finally going away. I did more reading up on Shingles and even got info from an Aunt who had them. I just feel lucky, for my granddaughter, that she wasn't in any pain. Once again, thank you all!!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.T.

answers from Dallas on

TOTALLY POSSIBLE!
She may not have had the chicken pox but I understand(from my pedi) that if a child has had the chicken pox vax they can get shingles!!
So sorry for your grand baby!

1 mom found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

T.
I feel so sorry for the baby. Shingles are very painful!
A strong immune system is the best defense. Shaklee makes the best children's vitamins. You can check them out at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife
Also, have you tried calling the doctor's nurse to get your other questions answered?

1 mom found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I thought you could not get shingles unless you first had chicken pox. If the child has not had chicken pox then I would suggest you do a little research on that and possibly consult a dermatologist.

1 mom found this helpful

C.C.

answers from Dallas on

Shingles are a form of chickenpox. You can ONLY get shingles if you've had chickenpox. I had shingles at the age of 24 and they were painful and can last weeks. If your grandbaby has not had chickenpox-you need to get a 2nd opinion.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Amarillo on

I had shingles about a month ago and it's not a big deal. I'm surprised that they didn't give her something oral to take for it. I'm sure it's because of her age. It's a form of the chicken pox. Usually it's triggered by stress or trauma. And usually you get them after you've had the chicken pox. Make sure that you put the ointment on it so that it doesn't scar. Now it can come back, but if it does, hopefully it won't be until she gets older. Breathe grandma, the grandbaby will be fine and no worse for wear.

If you have any questions, PM me and I'll see if I can answer any other questions.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.T.

answers from Dallas on

I had it a few months ago. It probably completely scabbed over in about 1 1/2 weeks and was completely gone in a month. Scabbing is a good thing and a sign that it is healing. Once completely scabbed over the threat of spreading is gone. However, since it is a form of chicken pox it is contagious. For me it was really painful, so if she complains about pain, definitely try to give her some tylenol. Use the cream given. My singles were first diagnosed as a spider bite and was told to use hydrocortizone cream. After finding out it was shingles, I also found out that hydrocortizone cream is the worst thing for it and can actually make the shingles spread. So only use the cream prescribed.

1 mom found this helpful
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