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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Blocking Cold Sore Transmissions
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Blocking Cold Sore Transmissions
by mmdecapo, Jun 20, 2005 12:00AM
My first question is, is there a way to effectively block cold sore transmission between outbreaks? My girlfriend usually gets cold sores in her nose but occassionally has them under her nose. I have avoided kissing her at all but desperately want to. We have occassionally used a bandage or scotch tape between her nose and upper lip. Is there anything better/less intrusive that you could suggest (e.g., liquid bandages or are they pourous?). Am I being overly cautious between outbreaks?
Second is that seven months ago, after unprotected sex with my girlfriend I had a painful burning sensation on my penis accompanied by redness. No blisters formed. She denied ever having any genital symptoms herself but did have the cold sores in her nose and also, but rarely, under her nose. On the fifth day after my pain began I saw my doctor. The redness had faded considerably and the pain was lessened. He said he could not culture it and didn't know what it was, perhaps a yeast infection (my girlfriend denied having any yeast infections for many many years). I went back two days later and saw a different doctor in the clinic, as mine was away, because I had an intense burning sensation around my abdomen. She checked my glands, wasn't sure about the burning around my abdomen and echoed my doctor's thought that she did not think it was herpes.
I have had no recurrence of the above symptoms for 7 months but worry about herpes.
About 6 weeks after what I just described above, I did break out in hives: lips, neck, penis, and elsewhere. It could have been triggered by some nuts I don't usually eat but who knows for sure. Since then, my forehead, cheeks, and chin have been more red than usual and I am itchy. Hence, I was instructed to take an antihistamine daily (changing the active chemical/brand every 3 weeks or so) and have been doing so which reduces the itching. I have also been congested since the hives broke out. What do you make of this and is it connected to the above.
My own lay impression is that I contracted herpes (1 or 2), lowered my immune symptom somewhat and have had a prolonged hive-type reaction kept at bay by the antihistamines. Blood work shows a slightly lowered platelette count.
thanks so much.
Second is that seven months ago, after unprotected sex with my girlfriend I had a painful burning sensation on my penis accompanied by redness. No blisters formed. She denied ever having any genital symptoms herself but did have the cold sores in her nose and also, but rarely, under her nose. On the fifth day after my pain began I saw my doctor. The redness had faded considerably and the pain was lessened. He said he could not culture it and didn't know what it was, perhaps a yeast infection (my girlfriend denied having any yeast infections for many many years). I went back two days later and saw a different doctor in the clinic, as mine was away, because I had an intense burning sensation around my abdomen. She checked my glands, wasn't sure about the burning around my abdomen and echoed my doctor's thought that she did not think it was herpes.
I have had no recurrence of the above symptoms for 7 months but worry about herpes.
About 6 weeks after what I just described above, I did break out in hives: lips, neck, penis, and elsewhere. It could have been triggered by some nuts I don't usually eat but who knows for sure. Since then, my forehead, cheeks, and chin have been more red than usual and I am itchy. Hence, I was instructed to take an antihistamine daily (changing the active chemical/brand every 3 weeks or so) and have been doing so which reduces the itching. I have also been congested since the hives broke out. What do you make of this and is it connected to the above.
My own lay impression is that I contracted herpes (1 or 2), lowered my immune symptom somewhat and have had a prolonged hive-type reaction kept at bay by the antihistamines. Blood work shows a slightly lowered platelette count.
thanks so much.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jun 21, 2005 12:00AM
, Jun 21, 2005 12:00AM
1. Avoid kissing your girlfriend only when she has an actual outbreak. Your risk of getting it when there's nothing to see is very small. Kissing through scotch tape is unnecessary and unsatisfactory.
2. Oral herpes has nothing to do with genital herpes. If your girlfriend has no history of symptoms suggesting genital herpes, there's no reason to think she has it or you can get it from her.
3. Your genital burning symptoms do not sound like herpes. They sound like anxiety over herpes.
4. Hives are usually not caused by anything specific. Herpes is not a likely cause of yours, if for no other reason than you have no symptoms suggesting herpes.
4. Herpes, even if you have it, doesn't "lower the immune system." Besides, I doubt you have it.
What I do think you have is herpes phobia. I advise you to get a thorough exam by a skin doctor or STD specialist, followed by appropriate counseling. You owe it to yourself and your girlfriend to get on with your life.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
2. Oral herpes has nothing to do with genital herpes. If your girlfriend has no history of symptoms suggesting genital herpes, there's no reason to think she has it or you can get it from her.
3. Your genital burning symptoms do not sound like herpes. They sound like anxiety over herpes.
4. Hives are usually not caused by anything specific. Herpes is not a likely cause of yours, if for no other reason than you have no symptoms suggesting herpes.
4. Herpes, even if you have it, doesn't "lower the immune system." Besides, I doubt you have it.
What I do think you have is herpes phobia. I advise you to get a thorough exam by a skin doctor or STD specialist, followed by appropriate counseling. You owe it to yourself and your girlfriend to get on with your life.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Thanks
Dr. Rockoff
I suffer from cold sores on my top and bottom lip on the left side of my mouth. I seem to suffer from these outbreaks more often these days.
My problem however is the anxiety I experience during an outbreak over transmitting the virus to other parts of my body. I particularly worry about transmitting it to my eyes or genitals by unwittingly scratching an itch. I know it sounds ridiculus but my eyes become so itchy and dry during an outbreak that it is impossible for me to not rub them at least once during the day.
How easily is the virus transmitted and how long would the virus survive on say a towel or finger? Does it die when its no longer on the host?
Any help putting my mind to rest would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks