worried nonstop
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Posts posted by worried nonstop
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One more thing, Is there anything I can put on these blisters to make them disappear sooner? I've read of magnesium sulfate paste to dry them out and also about apple cider vinegar, but not sure and don't want to make things worse. My finger looks awful as the blisters are now becoming darker- almost like a purplish red color. Not sure if that's part of the expected process? Thanks!
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Hi Alexus, a pic would be fine, yes. From what I’m reading, you could have auto-inoculated yourself in other an area with open skin if it was prior to building up antibodies...
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On 4/4/2020 at 3:01 PM, mr_hopp said:
Hey there! Sorry this is a stressful time for you, bud. I hope to alleviate that stress for you via dropping some facts on ya ...
Herpetic whitlow tends to not recur for most people with healthy immune systems after the body has had enough time to build up adequate antibodies (around 6 months). The reason is because herpes (especially HSV-2) prefers mucous membranes as a primary site of infection. Any thicker skin isn’t ideal for the virus to come back.
In this initial 6 month period (and especially when you’re having an active outbreak on your finger) avoid touching other parts of your body so you don’t auto-inoculate. After you have antibodies established, then auto-inoculation is rare.
Ask your doc which strain it is because it could be either HSV-1 or HSV-2 and they will have different shedding rates. HSV-2 is actually less aggressive on the finger since it is highly preferential to genitals (99% of HSV-2 cases are on the genitals).
And really, no worries, herpes in general doesn’t change the course of your love life unless you let it by believing the BS stigma and shame stuff out there. I have genital and oral herpes and haven’t given it to my wife or 3 year old son. Life goes on. This can truly be a blip on the radar. Just get educated and hold the paranoia at bay.
Hi mr_hopp, I really appreciate your response! I read it over and over. I will ask my doctor what type it is. When she called with the results I was so she’ll shocked that I couldn’t think of anything to ask. I’m so angry with myself, disappointed, and sad over this. I’m praying this never comes back, and scared that I’ve passed it to myself somewhere else. When I initially went to my primary doctor, they thought it was a bacterial infection from a hangnail and put me on antibiotics. They told me to keep it open to air. That was before the blisters started. I went back the day after the blisters and they said they thought it could be bacterial and viral and they poked at it and squeezed the hell out of it and then put a bandaid in it. I started covering it from then on but no one said how contagious it could be. So now I’m worried I could’ve gotten it somewhere else? How will I ever know? Do I have to wait another 20 days from the time the blisters showed up on my finger to know if I have it on my mouth and or genitals? I’m reading 80% of people have herpes and don’t know it -so I could have it on my genitals and never know. Do I just wait for an OB that hopefully never comes? Does this mean I have to disclose I have herpes to anyone I kiss or touch? I don’t know if this is like a cold sore that is on my hand? Are people with cold sores supposed to tell anyone they kiss that they have herpes? Is it possible that I contracted it on my hand and no where else during the the sexual contact? Is HSV 1 a worse diagnosis that HSV2 in this case? I know this is a lot of questions. Thank you for helping me through this!
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Sorry all, Symptoms on finger developed 2 weeks after exposure. I'm currently 3 1/2 weeks from exposure and nothing on genitals thus far.
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On 6/9/2016 at 11:22 AM, Snyperx said:
Figured I would jump back on here and give an update post 1 year. So After a year and a couple of months I finally had a second outbreak on my middle finger. It was WAY more mild compared to my initial infection. Second infection had "sores/blisters", but they never ruptured. They stayed intact and under the skin. It also cleared up much faster. I am not on any suppression therapy. I kept it covered and that was it. I still have not experienced any symptoms or outbreaks in the genital area. Pretty thankful over all for what could of been a much worse issue for me. A big thanks to all the folks on this wonderful website for helping me through my situation!!
On 6/9/2016 at 11:22 AM, Snyperx said:Figured I would jump back on here and give an update post 1 year. So After a year and a couple of months I finally had a second outbreak on my middle finger. It was WAY more mild compared to my initial infection. Second infection had "sores/blisters", but they never ruptured. They stayed intact and under the skin. It also cleared up much faster. I am not on any suppression therapy. I kept it covered and that was it. I still have not experienced any symptoms or outbreaks in the genital area. Pretty thankful over all for what could of been a much worse issue for me. A big thanks to all the folks on this wonderful website for helping me through my situation!!
Hi Snyperx, Thank you so much for your initial posts and this update post which is giving me some hope. Your story, so far, is identical to mine. Just got a positive HSV diagnosis from a herpetic whitlow on my left middle finger. So far no genital symptoms, am I honestly terrified of that happening. Can you give another update as to how things are going for you all these years later? I am praying this never comes back but the dermatologist said it would come back often and that has me almost paralyzed with fear. I'm still coming to terms with this and has been on my mind constantly. The primary doctor said that I'm not contagious when there is no OB present and didn't seem too concerned about it saying that children and healthcare workers get this and she was perplexed as to why I was so upset. I would really love to hear how you are doing after all these years and looking for some hope. Thank you!
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I am a 20yo male in college. I had unprotected sex with a girl who I also fingered. I had a hangnail on my left middle finger that got red and swollen and developed 4 small satellite blisters about 2weeks before. I went to a dermatologist who took a tissue sample and it came back positive for HSV. I’m beside myself with worry now. The dermatologist said it would come back often and have me Valtrex 2x per day for 10 days. No idea which type but probably type 2 since that is what seems to be the more aggressive of the two. Anyone on here have whitlow diagnoses from years ago? What is my prognosis? So far I have no genital symptoms but will I / did I get it on my genitals? I am absolutely sick over this and regretting what I did. How will I ever deal with this? Will I always be wearing bandaids on that finger? The doctor said it’s not contagious without an outbreak but I worry about that anyway. I want to get married and have children and don’t want to always be worried about touching them. Anyone out there who has had this, please help me. Thank you.
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On 7/12/2017 at 9:35 PM, jam77 said:
I found out last week that I have HSV2... I have had no genital related symptoms but I am one of the rare and lucky souls to get a Herpetic Whitlow (I think 2 breakouts now but first was miss diagnosed)... so ya... I got finger herpes. at 38 yrs old. The anxiety and worry that I have had since diagnosis has been terrible. I know its not a big deal logically. But emotionally I am just off the chart anxious. I was always safe... I am not even sure who/how I got it from. I am super lucky that I have an amazing GF with HSV1 who has the mindset of... so what I get a blister in another spot worst case? lol. Its still very new and raw and I have an active finger outbreak which constantly reminds me of it. People asking me whats wrong with my finger is just killer. I assume with time it will get easier... as with most things in life. But I keep worrying about being alone forever if it does not work out with my current girlfriend... I feel as everyone else does that this is not fair... I was tested in Nov of 16 and all clear. 2 partners since then so I had to tell someone they might have it... well two people. I am also struggling with the possible guilt of giving it to the gf I am with now. I am hoping its only on my finger... but how can I possibly ever know that?
Hi Jam, I just found out that the swollen and blistered area on my left middle finger is HSV. The fingered the girl I was with and had a hangnail at the time. We also had unprotected sex so I’m extremely nervous it will show up on my genitals. So far nothing down below and the finger is the only indicator of this new diagnosis. Since your post was made so many years ago, I was wondering how often your whitlow has reoccurred? My dermatologist said it will come back often. Is this true? Will I forever walk around with bandaids in my fingers? I’m so upset, not sleeping, barely eating. Hoping you can put my mind at ease. Thank you!
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On 7/29/2016 at 12:47 AM, Leep said:
Hello. I contracted the Big H from my ex husband. He knew he had it but never disclosed it to me. I was a virgin when we got married. A couple months later I experienced a lot of itching on my left hand, and a sore appeared. I thought it was an insect bite. I went to the doctor and he did a swab test of it. I got the call that change my life forever, I had contracted HSV-1 and HSV-2. I never had cuts on my hand but some how I was able to get it. I never performed oral on him but did put my hand on him. So it is very possible to get it on your hand. I am now remarried and we've been together for 13 years. He has not contracted the Big H thank goodness. If I feel anything we abstain from having any type of contact. So far this has worked for us.
Hi Leep, I was just diagnosed with whitlow on my left middle finger which the dermatologist said will recur “often.” I don’t know what type it is (Hsv 1 or 2) but am wondering how many times you have had your whitlow recur? I am terrified that I will have to constantly be wearing bandaids and people will start asking questions. I have no other areas of outbreak, but am also scared to death I will develop it in other areas. Have had this whitlow now for 10 days and can not wait for this to end. I feel like I wake up to a nightmare every day. Please help!
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On 8/8/2017 at 12:15 PM, jam77 said:
Do we have any HW vets on here that I can chat with? I have only ever had HW with no other out breaks or symptoms. I am wondering if anyone has this experience also? The big question is will I shed genitally even if I have never had symptoms? Just because if have HSV2 does that mean I shed in my pubic region? How could I ever know.
On 8/8/2017 at 12:15 PM, jam77 said:Do we have any HW vets on here that I can chat with? I have only ever had HW with no other out breaks or symptoms. I am wondering if anyone has this experience also? The big question is will I shed genitally even if I have never had symptoms? Just because if have HSV2 does that mean I shed in my pubic region? How could I ever know.
Hi there Jam, I’m newly diagnosed with HW which Hsv2 from testing and I have no other symptoms. My dermatologist told me I can expect this to come back often. Is this your experience? I’m terrified that I’m going to have to walk around with a bandaid on my finger to the point that people are going to start asking questions. Or worse, that I’ll spread it to another area. The fingered the girl I was with and we had unprotected sex so I’m extremely worried that i have it on my genitals and just don’t know it yet. My doctor said HW does she’s like oral and genital areas due to the thickness of finger skin. Is this what you have heard too? I see you posted some time ago and am hoping you can let me know how your experience with HW has gone and how often it has come back. I really appreciate any help.
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5 months post herpetic whitlow- Herpes rash on thigh?
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I am a 20yo male in college. I was diagnosed with HSV 1 primary outbreak which I acquired in mid March (now just over 5 months ago) after having unprotected sex with a girl who I also fingered. The whitlow symptoms resolved but took about 4 weeks. Never had any genital signs of outbreak and no other whitlow issues since until 5 days ago when I developed a red patch on my left mid thigh which now looks like non clustered pimple like dots which are only at the base of the hairs on my leg. I never had any prodrome symptoms of burning, tingling or shooting pains anywhere prior to the appearance of the redness. I have had no open areas or injuries to this area of my leg and do not shave that area ever. I googled and the first thing that came up was folliculitis which I'm reading could be from the herpes virus. Anyone out there ever had anything like this? I was hoping that I was so close to the 6 months that I would have immunity and never see it pop up again. Is it possible to have HSV show up on my leg out of the blue? One other thing I'll say is that classes just started up again for fall and my stress level is high.