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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Small blisters on two fingers lasting more than a year, herpes?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Small blisters on two fingers lasting more than a year, herpes?
by veryworried100, Jul 28, 2005 12:00AM
Male, age 26, caucasian, not very sexually active.
I've had these very SMALL blisters, about 10 total, on two of my fingers for over a year, if not longer. They NEVER turn pink, or red, they are about the same color as my skin. They have never itched, bursted, or turned into a painful sores. With that, they did not concern me. Only recently I thought that I should ask a doctor about it. The only reason I asked is because I was wondering what they were. I have not had anyone one night stands or anything like that. With in the last 5 years I have only been sexually active with one person. My partner has told she has been tested, and I trust her. These blisters had been there before I even started dating her. I know that a few of them, not all, have small amount of fluid in them, because I have popped one. The doctor told me it could be herepes and perscribed Zovirax. I apply this to the affected areas 6 times a day. She never suggested to have a blood test for the herpes antibody or any of the other tests that are out there. I have been applying this ointment to the affected area for 3 days now. In my opinon nothing has really changed. I have not had these small blister anywhere else on my body. My doctor has scared me to death, I have been searching the internet for information on herpes almost everyday hour for the last 3 days. Everything that I have read has stated that the blisters from herpes only lasts 4-5 days, then they turn into painfull sores. All the pictures that I have seen look nothing like what is on my two fingers. The only picture that look somewhat like what I have was a picture of a person's hand with Herpes Zoster. The picture I had looked at showed a hand with ALOT of blisters, simular but not exactly like mine.
The only symptoms I've had are these blisters, nothing else. I've told the doctor everything I've posted in this message. The doctor was not very helpfull, I'm not sure she was really listening to me when I was telling her how long I've had these.
Thank you for offering this service, I'm sure this puts many people minds at ease.
I've had these very SMALL blisters, about 10 total, on two of my fingers for over a year, if not longer. They NEVER turn pink, or red, they are about the same color as my skin. They have never itched, bursted, or turned into a painful sores. With that, they did not concern me. Only recently I thought that I should ask a doctor about it. The only reason I asked is because I was wondering what they were. I have not had anyone one night stands or anything like that. With in the last 5 years I have only been sexually active with one person. My partner has told she has been tested, and I trust her. These blisters had been there before I even started dating her. I know that a few of them, not all, have small amount of fluid in them, because I have popped one. The doctor told me it could be herepes and perscribed Zovirax. I apply this to the affected areas 6 times a day. She never suggested to have a blood test for the herpes antibody or any of the other tests that are out there. I have been applying this ointment to the affected area for 3 days now. In my opinon nothing has really changed. I have not had these small blister anywhere else on my body. My doctor has scared me to death, I have been searching the internet for information on herpes almost everyday hour for the last 3 days. Everything that I have read has stated that the blisters from herpes only lasts 4-5 days, then they turn into painfull sores. All the pictures that I have seen look nothing like what is on my two fingers. The only picture that look somewhat like what I have was a picture of a person's hand with Herpes Zoster. The picture I had looked at showed a hand with ALOT of blisters, simular but not exactly like mine.
The only symptoms I've had are these blisters, nothing else. I've told the doctor everything I've posted in this message. The doctor was not very helpfull, I'm not sure she was really listening to me when I was telling her how long I've had these.
Thank you for offering this service, I'm sure this puts many people minds at ease.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 28, 2005 12:00AM
, Jul 28, 2005 12:00AM
Herpes of the fingers is called whitlow. It consists of a painful swelling at the tip, with blisters that dry up and go away in 7-10 days. It should be obvious that this does not match what you have.
My best guess is that you have dyshidrotic eczema, which produces blisters on the sides of the fingers, or the palms and soles. I think you should have a skin doctor look at you and tell you for sure. Meantime, don't pop them, or it will b harder to tell. However, your description does not match herpes or any other STD. Give the internet a rest.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
My best guess is that you have dyshidrotic eczema, which produces blisters on the sides of the fingers, or the palms and soles. I think you should have a skin doctor look at you and tell you for sure. Meantime, don't pop them, or it will b harder to tell. However, your description does not match herpes or any other STD. Give the internet a rest.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
