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Hand Herpes Through Underwear?
Hello,
About 9 days ago I had an interaction I’m worried about.
I grabbed a girls butt over her underwear, and rubbed her vagina for a short time, also over her underwear.
My hand made contact with the skin on her butt and thighs, but never under here underwear, which was pretty conservative.
I now have a reddish bump and a small flesh colored bump on the back of one knuckle, and another small flesh colored bump on the back of the knuckle next to that.
This is not on the hand that had contact with her vagina at all.
I first spotted them 24 hours ago. The red one went down but returned. The flesh colored bumps have not changed at all.
They also do not hurt or itch.
We also kissed for a short time, and I did not see any sores on her lips.
A few months ago my blood work came back negative for hsv 1 & 2.
I work with my hands so it’s possible I had a cut or two on my hands, likely scabbed over.
It seems almost silly to ask, but is there a chance I got hand herpes from this interaction?
It’s giving me some anxiety so any clarity is appreciated.
Thank you so much
About 9 days ago I had an interaction I’m worried about.
I grabbed a girls butt over her underwear, and rubbed her vagina for a short time, also over her underwear.
My hand made contact with the skin on her butt and thighs, but never under here underwear, which was pretty conservative.
I now have a reddish bump and a small flesh colored bump on the back of one knuckle, and another small flesh colored bump on the back of the knuckle next to that.
This is not on the hand that had contact with her vagina at all.
I first spotted them 24 hours ago. The red one went down but returned. The flesh colored bumps have not changed at all.
They also do not hurt or itch.
We also kissed for a short time, and I did not see any sores on her lips.
A few months ago my blood work came back negative for hsv 1 & 2.
I work with my hands so it’s possible I had a cut or two on my hands, likely scabbed over.
It seems almost silly to ask, but is there a chance I got hand herpes from this interaction?
It’s giving me some anxiety so any clarity is appreciated.
Thank you so much
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is not herpes. You didn't have a risk.
Herpes doesn't go through clothing, and while you can get herpes on your hand - it's called herpetic whitlow - it would be on the hand that you touched her with. It wouldn't be on the other hand.
I can't tell you what your bumps are - so, so many things cause bumps, and most aren't concerning at all - but it's for sure not an STD.
Herpes doesn't go through clothing, and while you can get herpes on your hand - it's called herpetic whitlow - it would be on the hand that you touched her with. It wouldn't be on the other hand.
I can't tell you what your bumps are - so, so many things cause bumps, and most aren't concerning at all - but it's for sure not an STD.
2 Comments
Thank you so much for you’re reply!
Just to clarify, both hands had skin to skin contact with her butt and thighs. I’ve read that outbreaks can occur there.
If she had an outbreak there, could I be at risk?
Just to clarify, both hands had skin to skin contact with her butt and thighs. I’ve read that outbreaks can occur there.
If she had an outbreak there, could I be at risk?
Yes, outbreaks can happen there, but even if she has herpes, and had an outbreak, the skin on your hands is too thick for the virus to penetrate.
If she didn't have an outbreak, you're fine to touch the skin there, because that skin doesn't shed the virus. Only the thinner, moist mucus membrane skin (vagina, vulva, anus) sheds the virus.
Really, you're fine. You had no risk. When we say skin to skin contact for herpes, HPV and syphilis, we mean oral to oral (kissing), oral to genital (oral sex), genital to genital and genital to anal. Think vaginal and anal sex, as transmission needs friction, but sometimes heavy rubbing and grinding while both people are unclothed can transmit it.
You're okay. If you had a risk, I'd tell you.
If she didn't have an outbreak, you're fine to touch the skin there, because that skin doesn't shed the virus. Only the thinner, moist mucus membrane skin (vagina, vulva, anus) sheds the virus.
Really, you're fine. You had no risk. When we say skin to skin contact for herpes, HPV and syphilis, we mean oral to oral (kissing), oral to genital (oral sex), genital to genital and genital to anal. Think vaginal and anal sex, as transmission needs friction, but sometimes heavy rubbing and grinding while both people are unclothed can transmit it.
You're okay. If you had a risk, I'd tell you.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
