Herpes From a door knob?

[Libby_1]

I ALWAYS wash my hands before using the restroom at work.  Because my hands are clean, once I enter the stall, I slide the lock on the stall with my arm.  Well four days ago, I noticed a red bump on my arm in the EXACT location of my arm that I regularly use to slide the lock with.  I looked closely at the bump and it seemed to have two or three smaller bumps on it that appeared to be fluid filled, although I could not tell for sure.  In addition, the muscles in my back ached (Leading me to think it was the muscle aches from an initial herpes infection).  I still have the spot, but it is not as big of a bump anymore and so far I have not noticed any crusting.  The bump never really hurt or itched to speak of and I don't know if it is tingling because I am paying SO MUCH attention to it.  I am TERRIFIED I contracted herpes on my arm from the lock on the bathroom stall!  I do get cold sores on my lip occassionally so I know I have herpes I.  Could this be Herpes 2 caught from the door lock?   I am always so cautious when I have an outbreak on my lip because I am afraid of spreading it to my eyes.  I have two young children at home and would HATE to put them at any further risk.  Please advise.  Many thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The chances of contracting herpes from any inanimate object is very small.  If this can occur from a doorknob, even theoretically, I've never heard of it.  The fact that you feel compelled to close the lock with your elbow suggests to me excessive concern.  I think you need to leave the bumps alone and show a doctor what you're obsessing about.  You should also consider dealing with what sounds to me like a certain degree of germ-phobia, which is not a healthy thing.

Whatever you do have--and I'd be willing to be that it isn't contagious--you can be sure of keeping to yourself just by keeping it covered with a band-aid or similar device.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[Libby_1]

To clarify.....the red bump was about the size of an eraser on a pencil and the two to three bumps were close together at the top of the bump.  Bump was red....has since gone down but red spot remains.  No real crusting but I did put neosporin on it.  Little bit of dry skin around where the area of the top of the bump was.  Many thanks

[The_Rajah]

That is highly, highly unlikely. There has never, in any of the literature that I've read, been a documented case of herpes transmission via an object like a door knob or a toilet seat. The herpes virus is fragile and does not long survive outside the human body on a dry surface.

You should note, too, that plain old soap and water is instantly fatal to the virual particles. Its capsid shell is a lipid, AKA fat/oil, and is dissolved by soap on contact.

The fancy antibacterial soaps are to be avoided in any event as they are irritating to the skin and actually make it more vulnerable due to that.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, but I used to live next door to one.

[Libby_1]

rajah...thank u so much for your comment, but if you think about it, like I did after I have been worrying about it so much, is...that I only washed my hands after going to the bathroom...never my upper arm which I used to shut the lock!  I know all of this sounds so silly, but I guess I am completely distracted by the fact that it is EXACTLY on the part of my arm I regularly use to shut the latch!??  Coincidence??

[Libby_1]

What seems to remain after a shower is a flat red area with a slightly raised shiny red bump in the middle.  I do not see any real scabbing or crusting.

[Libby_1]

Thanks for your comment doc.  Should I get a test to see if it is herpes?  I have a doctors appointment on Friday....do you think he would be able to tell by looking at it?  Also, Can I take it from your comment that you do not think it is contagious that you do not feel it is herpes?  thanks again...