Unknown skin rash that has been reocurring for several years , could it be shingles?

	Asked by Unregistered (Female; 44; Mexico, United Mexican States; No none reports of allergies in her family. Her father has been treated for diabetes. No none reports of skin conditions either; Relevant drugs:Doctors prescribed a topic ointment of their type. Not an antibiotic or antihistamine. ) on Mon 01, Sep 2008 09:50pm
	Paula lives in Nuevo Leon Mexico and is 44 years old. A few years ago she was bit by a black fly with white wings larger than a horsefly and ever since the bite she has been suffering from a painful rash only on the side of her left leg between her knee and ankle. Pain, tingling, prickly and burning sensations. Rash is red, sometimes purple with puss filled blisters and pimples that irrupt. Itchy, knee pain, inflamation and warmth around the area and none of the doctors in Mexico can diagnose her. I thought it could be shingles but i'm not sure. What could it be?
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	Answer by Dr Paul S, MD (doctor) on Mon 01, Sep 2008 11:23pm: Hi there. From the way you have described the distribution of the lesions, I believe that shingles may be unlikely. The rash of shingles would usually follow one line, starting from the origins of the nerve from the spinal cord. A possibility that I can think of given her history of being bit by a fly, is that of a parasitic infection called filaria (if that area is endemic for such). This can cause fragility and blockage of lymphatic channels which can make these prone to infection (which can present as rash, bullae, or vesicles). Other conditions to consider is that of allergic reactions or contact form of dermatitis which should be evaluated by an allergologist. Regards.
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