Whitlow and your outbreak experiences

[Meepovnickova]

Hi ya’ll 

I was diagnosed with hsv-2 in the form of a herpes whitlow recently and I would like to know what the experiences of other whitlow sufferers are like. For year I’ve had some issues with my right index finger, any itchy bump or two below nailbed followed by an red and inflamed finger, never thought it was herpes related until recently when I saw real blisters forming and the pain and itchiness had attained a new level of discomfort, and therefore got it swab tested . For you, does an ob always mean blisters? Or do they come in the form of red bumps or other manifestations? Do they spread to other areas of the hand or fingers?  How do you deal with and manage outbreaks and risks of transmission and auto inoculation ? If there’s no fluid filled blister am I obligated to cover my hands? For example if it’s just a bump that doesn’t develop into something more?

Asking lots of questions because my doctors seem relatively baffled. 

 Thanks for any help or advice 

[Number212]

Yes , you can spread the virus even if there is only pumps , heck even when there is no symptoms you can spread it , just be careful with your hand and always be on the watch for symptoms before you try to touch anyone or yourself .

[Meepovnickova]

Yes but do you always attempt to cover every bump with bandaids or something? Sorry to be so meticulous I just am trying to figure out what to do without going overboard lol! 

[Crink123456]

Hello! 

I have whitlow but its on my wrist/thick lower part of my thumb. I was diagnosed in March. Although I suspected whitlow for a year prior, I finally got it swabbed at the right time to get the diagnosis in March.  

 

Anyways,  I'm not sure how helpful I will be but I wanted to say that I am constantly reading this forum and there is another forum by a nurse who answers ppls questions about hsv. I'll put her website on here. I found it very helpful to go through and read ppl with similar stories and feelings around the diagnosis. 

Im not going to lie, I am paranoid of transferring it to anybody, but mostly my child. I am constantly thinking about it, washing my hands often, sanitizing anywhere I think it could be a potential risk for transmission. I did read on the nurse forum though that the skin on our hands are thicker and it's difficult for the virus to shed through that skin if there are no sores present. Now, I'm not sure if that's accurate but it does make some sense.  I don't cover my hand up when I don't have any sores, I'm just very mindful of where my hand is and I am constantly washing my hands. When I do have an outbreak, I have it covered with bandages and cotton glove type thing I rig up. 

I have never had bumps that didn't turn into a blister for my outbreaks. I do get the prodromal symptoms though sometimes I will get blisters, other times I don't.  Also, it has moved do different areas,  I initially just had it on the thicker part of my thumb but my last outbreak it was on the bottom side my wrist. 

Here is the link to the nurse forum I was talking about: www.westoverheights.com

I hope I was somewhat helpful.  Everyone says it gets better with time,  I'm hoping so.