Herpetic Whitlow?

[Snugglebuns]

Hey all! Newbie here. I've yet to see a derma about this (smart huh?), but upon doing EXTENSIVE research, I've come to the conclusion that what I've been suffering from as a young child (9-10 y/o) is Herpetic Whitlow. Readings claim that people most prone to whitlow are dental assistants and children. Basically, every month or few months, I get a blister-LIKE bump on the sides of my fingers, or the pads of my fingers, or around my nail beds. Starts off as a painful bump, which then forms a small white almost center to it, under the skin. At this point of the outbreak, if I squeeze them, they just freakin hurt and clear liquid comes out (minuscule amount). Then they become bulbous, red, irritated, AND ITCHY and painful at the same time. Normally when they come around it ends up on both hands. Now, a new event, are wicked sores that pop up in between my toes/around nail bed, with the same characteristics of my fingers/hands only worse because I must wear sneakers and socks to work, standing and moving for long hours. I've had long term relationships my entire life, and have obviously held their hands a ton of times (during an outbreak), and no one has ever contracted what I seem to have. Photos of my toes (most recent outbreak) were deleted accidentally. Most of what I find on Google images are extreme and only resemble my problem 6/10 of the time. Can anyone shed light on this for me? THANK YOU!

[WilsoInAus]

Not sure I can spread much light. Herpes of the hands is rare and even rarer to outbreak frequently. This suggests another condition. Herpes is usually only in one location, hence your toes having the same issue is also sugestive of something else.

The best and almost only thing you can do is have a fresh set of sores swabbed for HSV and generally seek a medical opinion of the sores.

[oneday]

Hey, sounds like hsv, how did you get it on your toes? try not to squeeze them, it always makes an outbreak worse. Sorry to hear about that. Can u take a photo next time it happens? How often does it happen?

[Sil_m88]

I have ghsv2 and also herpetic whitlow and also had an OB on my inside ankle, so it is possible (but the first two of mine were acquired at the same time, before building up any sort of immunity) For me, the whitlow appears as about 4 whiteish yellow blisters under the skin with a red area surrounding each. The skin is quite thick around the fingertip, so none have ever broken yet.. just change colour and fade away. 

[WilsoInAus]

These do not sound like whitlow. The ankle symptoms will not be related to herpes. Please see a doctor regarding your fingers. What you describe is not herpetic nor what would occur with HSV-2 in that region.

How were you diagnosed with genital HSV-2?

[Sil_m88]

Thanks for the reply.. Firstly, yes - I was diagnosed with GHSV2 a year ago by swab down below. At the same time I had a blackish-red patch around a torn cuticle which I made note of. A few months and a few genital OBs later, I had 4 or 5 blisters appear in the same area as the torn cuticle and a day or two later I had one large yellowish clear blister on my ankle which popped and created about 50 smaller ones. During that period, I had been referred to a haemotologist for a number of chronic symptoms which no professionals could explain, but all of which could be linked to a viral infection (tiredness, aches, swollen nodes, pins and needles etc). He looked at my hand and didn't really have an answer but after all tests and scans came back normal once again, he said he assumed it must be HSV. I feel like I've finally gotten over it, I know it's highly unusual for HSV, but that emphasised by post-viral syndrome/possibly glandular fever was the only explanation. I wish someone could've made a case study of my situation or something!

[WilsoInAus]

There is no way herpes has caused all these symptoms. Your doctor is scapegoating but no matter if you're back to normal now.

what was you sexual activity leading up to your first outbreak?

[Sil_m88]

Until I was 26 I had two long term partners, no issues.. then met a third girl, and a few weeks after we first had sex (condom broke once, but OB areas aren't covered by a condom anyway).. all that began.

Thanks for the opinion, it still worries me today. But the other scapegoat was anxiety, so I was sent to therapy as well. I don't believe that was much to blame either though. Eventually I just ran out of avenues and still hadn't died, so had to let it pass.

[WilsoInAus]

And the third lady has tested positive for herpes? Are you still with her?

[Sil_m88]

I'm still with her yes, but she has never had an outbreak.. just a one-time fever a few months prior to meeting me. I'm fairly sure she is HSV2-positive, but they only perform swab tests in the UK, not bloods. 

[WilsoInAus]

She must be. You can obtain tests privately.