 [ Symptoms ] i have a red rash with red bumps on the backs of my hands mostly clustered around the base of my thumb and forefinger  i can not think of anything new i have come into contact with that i would be allergic to a few of the larger bumps are almost look like small scrapes but they are not they do not particularly hurt or itch i have had them for about a week i was sick with a bad cold recently they do not seem to be spreading but they also do not seem to be getting better they are contained to my hands as far as i can tell [ Disease ] surgery for shingles is quite rare and limited to only the most severe and prolonged cases of postherpetic neuralgia the most common complication of shingles postherpetic neuralgia can be an ongoing and debilitating problem especially for older people but it usually decreases over time when all other medical treatments fail to reduce or control pain you and your doctor may consider surgical options surgery to relieve postherpetic neuralgia interrupts the path of pain signals to the brain by cutting nerves in the skull or spinal column there are significant risks to this surgery if surgery is recommended it is a good idea to get a second opinion before proceeding webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information © 1995 2011 healthwise incorporated healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated