Confused and concerned about whitlow...

[redsox22]

Okay, so I was diagnosed with herpetic whitlow when I was 23. The outbreaks have always come the same way and in the same place (middle finger of my left hand). About 1-2 days before the outbreak, I feel some tingling and swelling in my finger followed by it being really itchy and erupting into a blister that is quite painful. I have always been very careful about keeping it covered and have taken Acyclovir to help. It's always covered with a band aid or other dressing unless I'm washing my hand or putting ointment on. The last outbreak that I had was earlier this summer and it came and went in the same way. As the infection was clearing up, I noticed what appeared to be a small white pimple on the outside of the knuckle on my right hand. No pain or itching...it was just there and I didn't think much of it. It took longer to go away than a normal pimple would and as that one was clearing up, a second one appeared between my knuckle and where my finger joins my hand. It cleared up in about the same time. Nether instance itched, swelled, or became painful. Friday night I was sitting watching tv and I noticed my finger getting really itchy and I look down and there is a patch of read skin where the second pimple was. This area itched like a *******, I panicked and wrapped it up in a band aid. I never noticed a sore or anything like I experience when I'm having an outbreak in the primary infection site. The only thing was the itching.... I made a Dr.'s appointment, but he can't see me until Thursday, and I was wondering if it is possible that I may have infected my other finger. The only time my outbreaks on my left hand are uncovered are when I'm washing my hands and changing the dressing on it. I have been so careful over the last 5 years and this is the first time I'm had anything like this happen. I was just wondering if anyone had any answers/comments..... Also, it's only been a few days, but all that is left on my right finger is a small red spot....

[redsox22]

Hey Grace, it's been a little while, but 9 months after my last 'real' outbreak, and low and behold, herpetic whitlow has made it's way back. My question this time has to do with the fact that it's really been cold lately and I'm fighting dry skin as I deal with my finger. Is it safe to use hand lotions during an outbreak? I found earlier this winter while I was dealing with dry skin and fighting the endless battle against the small pimple like bumbs that I was getting, that cortaid cream was really helping. I know this isn't good for a herpes blister, but is it still safe to use on my other fingers and even the surrounding area around where the band aid is on my finger? It probably sounds like a stupid question, but it's one that concerns me. Also, I would like to go back to one topic and this is the one that is still bothering me. I've talked to 5 or 6 different doctors and they were almost split in half about how effective a band aid really was to stop the virus when there is an active blister. I understand that HSV is fragile, but how long does it take to die when exposed to air? Could some of the virus be making it's way out of the band aid? I guess even after all of my initial questions, this is the one thing about all of this that still bothers me the most. It's made a little worse because I recently started a new job (the stress from the job switch could be the root of my outbreak) and I get scared anytime anyone uses a computer or phone immediately after I'm done using it. I guess the couple of docters that said a band aid wouldn't be enough to stop the virus have really gotten into my head about this. Any insight or thoughts would be welcome. Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

at this point you both need tested to see who has what and then go from there. assume nothing based on a presumed lack of symptoms - you both need testing.

[redsox22]

Not yet...I was planning on ordering up the blood test when I go in on Wednesday for the swabbing... based on what she has told me, she has hod no history of cold sores and/or other herpes related issues. I know this doesn't rule anything out on her part by any means . I know like you have said before...the skin on the hands is thick, and I know she washed her hands really well after we were done. I was just wondering the 'ifs' risk involved assuming she's had no history of herpes related infections and if in fact what is going on with me is in fact herpes related. I know it probably sounds like I'm being paranoid, I'm just trying to get an idea of things before my appointment. Thanks...

[gracefromHHP]

have you and your gf had type specific herpes igg blood tests yet to know each other status?

[redsox22]

Hey Grace, so I have something new to ask you.... Thinking back to your post where you said that people who have herpetic whitlow usually have it in another place besides on their hands, I noticed after being manually stimulated by my girlfriend last night that I had redness and irritation on my foreskin around the top part of my penis. It didn't look like there were any ulcerations (that I could see) after a close inspection. This is someting that happens usually a couple of times per year but doesn't happen exactly in the same place. It's usually on different spots around my foreskin. It doesn't bother me...like itching or burning, but it got me to thinking... Is it possible that this could be herpes? I made a Dr's appt., but it's gonna be Wednesday before I can be seen. Where it has never bothered me before, I've never really thought to go to the docter for it before now. It wasn't until I started looking into things about my finger that I read different things about genital outbreaks as well, so I guess I am kind of concerned now.
Where I already know that I have whitlow, I'm a little freaked out about my gal now. What happens to me is pretty painful and awful and I wanted to know that if what is on my foreskin IS herpes, is she at risk of getting it on her hand as well? I know that outbreaks for people are all different, but IF this was an active outbreak, I would like to think that she is going to be okay. I asked her if there were any cuts or scrapes on her hand, and she said there was nothing. No torn cuticles or anything like that either.
So I guess for me...it's gonna be waiting until Wednesday to see the doctor, but would she now be at risk of getting whitlow if in fact it was an active herpes outbreak?

[gracefromHHP]

incredibly low risk. the skin on our hands protects us very well or we'd have infections on them all the time. think about all the germs your hands come into contact with every day!