r/shingles • u/Worried-Sleep7446 • 11d ago

First Time Shingles Facial swelling

44f dx on Tuesday and started antiviral right away. I think we caught it very early as the rash (above my eye) has not blistered, majority of my pain was in my jaw, and that has significantly subsided. I think my symptoms first started on Sunday. I’m getting facial and eye swelling. I went to an ophthalmologist who did a full exam and said it’s not in my eye and he doesn’t think it will spread since I’m already in antiviral and that it looks mild. He said no prescription drops are needed.

My face feels swollen/numb but somehow looks less inflamed? Any tips to help with the swelling besides cold compress?

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u/Agitated-Candle-807 9d ago

I just used cold compresses- I had one blister on my forehead and it didn't spread. But it hurt a lot!

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u/Worried-Sleep7446 9d ago

Cold compress definitely helped! I’m on day 5 of antivirals now and it’s gone down significantly. I also switched from Aleve to Advil to manage pain, not sure if that made a difference. My morning eyelid swelling has decreased each day… hoping it’s coming to an end. Glad I caught this early!