Do shingles look like bug bites? (+3 observations)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss whether shingles look like big bites. We will also discuss some typical characteristics to differentiate between shingles and bug bites.
Do shingles look like bug bites?
Due to pink and red spots, shingles may look like bug bites. However, before the occurrence of shingles, you may experience pain and tingling sensations. The pain, blister formation, and appearance of red spots on one side of the body differentiate it from bug bites.
Shingles may look like bug bites to a layman, but the doctor would be able to easily differentiate shingles from bug bites. A doctor may only need to see the typical pain and blistering in a band (shingles girdle) on one side of the body to clinically diagnose shingles.
Some people may also confuse shingles with scabies, impetigo, contact dermatitis, and folliculitis. You should see your dermatologist if you have had chickenpox. The Shingle virus often remains dormant in the body and activates once the immunity goes down.
How to differentiate between shingles and bug bites?
There are many differences between shingles and bug bites, both pathophysiologically and visually. Some of the most common differences include:
| Shingles | Bug bites |
| Stays for longer periods, usually 2-3 weeks | Goes away within a few hours |
|
Shingles start with skin sensitivity, itching, and tingling sensation. This is followed by a rash. |
First, small lumps are formed, which is followed by itching. |
| Red or pink spots turn into a blister. | Red or pink spots do not form blisters. |
| Blisters open up and form a crust on the skin’s surface | No scarring |
| The hives are present on one side of the body, usually on the chest or back. | Localized spots that may appear on any part of your body |
| Very painful. | Temporary pain due to scratching. |
| The rash occurs due to viral infection | The rash occurs due to an insect bite |
How to know if you have shingles?
Shingles is an itchy and painful rash that develops on one side of the body, usually the chest, back, and shoulder. Patients often get a tingling and painful sensation in the areas where the shingles would most likely develop. This happens several days before the first visual appearance (1).
Once the rash starts, pink or red blotchy patches appear on the torso along nerve pathways. These spots are non-contagious at this stage, but soon develop blisters. Once the blisters are formed, the fluid contains live virus and can be transmitted to another person.
If the contagious fluid comes in contact with a noninfected person, he may develop chickenpox (not shingles). Sometimes later in life, shingles may occur. Once the blister bursts, a scab will form on the surface of the blister to heal the skin.
Shingles are often accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Fever may also occur before the rash appears. Shingles may affect your face, eyes, and vision. In rare cases, shingles may spread to other parts of the body, especially if the patient has a weakened immune system.
How to prevent and treat shingles?
According to the Center for Drug Control (CDC), shingles may take 2-3 weeks to treat. Recombinant zoster vaccine is the recommended vaccine to prevent the occurrence of shingles and other associated complications.
Within 2-3 days of blistering, you should consult your doctor to prevent the spread of shingles. Antiviral drugs like Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are used to shorten the length and severity of shingles (2). However, Acyclovir may cause constipation.
If you have pain, you may take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. Liquid topical medications like calamine lotion, and warm oatmeal bath are also recommended for the blisters and associated itching.
If you ever had chickenpox in your lifetime, you are most likely to get shingles in the late 40s. You should not worry about getting shingles as it is not a life-threatening disease and the symptoms are easily manageable.
You should consult your doctor if you have extreme pain and irritation in the blisters. Do not scratch the blisters as they may spread the virus and leave a scar after healing.
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References
1.-
Oaklander AL. Mechanisms of pain and itch caused by herpes zoster (shingles). The journal of pain. 2008 Jan 1;9(1):10-8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526590007008899
2.-
Johnson RW, Whitton TL. Management of herpes zoster (shingles) and postherpetic neuralgia. Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy. 2004 Mar 1;5(3):551-9. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1517/14656566.5.3.551
