Unsure what infection I have maybe Herpes

[jim51042]

In spring of 2010 I was living with a roommate with cold sores(only saw one ob). I hadn't had sex or made out in 2 years. I never had cold sores before and neither has anyone in my family. I borrowed her juice once(she may have drank out of carton), jelly, shared hookah once. We had common utensils but I only used them post dishwasher. At 2 different times I got a pimple on my upper lip which I popped. Didn't think anything of it because it was near hair follicles and didn't hurt but may have itched. Then June 14 I had ~4 clear fluid filled 2mm bumps with red base on my right index finger. They didn't hurt but I had fatigue, dizziness, sore back etc. The bump subsided in a 5 days. Over the summer I had recurring single 1 mm red blister which reoccurred on mult fingers. They didn't hurt but itchiness proceeded these bumps and there was dead skin following it. None of these bumps burst. In mid October I accidentally touch one of these bump to my penis. The last week of Oct my genitals started itching and was followed by mild burning the whole month of Nov and continuing to today. Also had burning peeing but that was only 1 weeks mid Nov. I never saw a definite sore thought I'm not an expert. Most of the initial burning was of the testicles later went to shaft. I had a blood test on Nov 2 were IGM was 1 (equiv), IGG type1 .21, IGG type2 .25. I had 2nd blood test Nov 21 IGM neg, IGG type1 neg, IGG type2 neg. They also did a chlamydia gonorrhea swab but lost it before they could test it. Between this test and third I started taking 2gram lysine daily. I had a third blood test Dec 1 IGG type1 .20, IGG type2 .25. My primary thinks I don't have herpes but he couldn't provide an alternate reason for genital burning. I had lyme disease and mono in fall of 08. If first infected it would have been before Jun allowing 6months between infection and Dec test. Could it be bacterial infect or am I one of the people that don't produce a lot of type 1 antibodies? What should I do now?

[jim51042]

I don't think it was eczema because the blisters were redder than those on the internet. Also in late 09-10 I showered at a military gym. I forgot shower shoes a couple times(10) and the times I had them they were the ones with the cloth straps(collected water) not waterproof rubber straps. The sandals eventually got that mildew smell but I keep wearing them because they were the only ones I had. Anyway the gap between my big and next toe became really itchy which I scratched with my right index(actually anyplace the strap had been ie top of foot). I mention all this because its likely that I had a mild fungal infection between toes. If transferred to the hand that could it produce a 3mm clear blister followed by future single 1mm red blisters which flake when healing. There was no red rash outside of the blisters. Also these blisters commonly formed on the knuckles where there was the most contact between fingers. I don't think I had skin flaking between fingers but if I did it was minor. If it was a fungal infect I guess it could transfer to gen via contact and friction(masturbation). But I'm still doubt that fungal infects on the hand would just produce itching followed by a 1mm red clear fluid contained blister. Is it possible fungal infection on the hands produce these blisters? Two other details: First I am pretty allergic to mold. Second pain would reemerge during the night when I was sweating under heavy blankets and laying on my groin, but that may be just a true for herpes as it is for fungal. I was mainly worried that I contracted Herpes Whitlow which I pass to my penis via masturbation. The burning was not continuous during these last 3 week but probably prolonged by 2 cycles of masturbation when I thought the burning had pasted. I hope it is a fungal infection that I had on hand and spread to genitals otherwise I can't think of another diagnosis for that type of infectious transfer than herpes.

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum!

Thank you for very your interesting posting. I am saying “interesting” because those lesions on several different locations, at different time (several months apart), accompanied with different symptoms (at least those few you mentioned) could be related but not necessarily. Therefore, very detailed medical history and clinical examination performed by your dermatologist are essential in order to establish the diagnosis and personalized therapeutic strategy.

However, we will try to provide as useful information as possible based on data you provided.

Typical pimples near lip border, centered by hair follicle, especially in men, could have been acne or folliculitis but that is not the end of list of possibilities.

Recurrent, pruritic (itchy), vesicular (fluid filled) lesions on erythematous (red) base, followed by desquamation (visible peeling of dead skin), as well as scrotal and penile itchiness, could be clinical findings of several diseases, first of all, eczema, but also autoimmune bullous diseases, bullous impetigo (bacterial infection), scabies, fungal infection, etc. If you were taking any peroral drugs, this could also be a reaction to it.

The information you shared indicates that genital HSV infection should not worry you.  

Wishing You Optimal Health and Happy Holidays,
Dr Jasmina Jankicevic