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Avatar universal

Eye issues for 2 or 3 days now, any advice?

I have no idea what could be the cause of this eye problem I am currently having. About 2 or 3 days ago, it started to itch a bit under the eye, then the next morning I woke up and it was swollen, later that night I realized there were some almost unnoticeable skin colored bumps where it was swollen, and a bit red. You almost can't tell, but it looks like about 8 or so very small bumps grouped together, in a way it looks like the exczema I used to get on my hand when I was younger. But I'm worried it may be HSV 1 infecting my eye. The location is on my right eye, directly under my eye, not on the eyeball itself, but on the skin underneath the eyeball. Not sure if that is considered an eyelid, I doubt it. It itches, and you can tell it is a little red and swollen looking at me, but you can't tell the bumps are there unless you are right in my face. Yesterday I curled my finger and pushed at it to itch it a bit, and I can't tell if it may have been from my eyeball or from that "infected" area, but a small amount of clear fluid was on my finger, it looked like water. I have no history of HSV-1 or HSV-2, but I undertsand that HSV-1 is highly contagious on the facial area, I'm wondering if I could have shook someones hand and then rubbed my eye and gotten an infection that way. Could you please give me your eductaed opinion on this matter please?
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284078 tn?1282616698
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, HSV-1 is a definite  possibility.  I actually just saw a case yesterday.  Oral Valtrex and oral antibiotics (just in case) were both prescribed.  I don't know what you have for sure but you obviously need to see an ophthalmolgist or at least a primary care doctor immediately.  You really don't want to let this get out of hand because it can get very serious if not properly treated.

MJK MD
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Thanks for answering my question. I'm pretty much positive now that it is HSV-1 as it has scabbed over now and the swelling has pretty much gone down. I'm still trying to figure out how I could have gotten it, my husband has HSV-1 and gets cold sores about 2 or 3 times a year, and my son may have it and he also goes to daycare every now and then when we go to church, or it could have been from me shaking peoples hands at church and not washing hands right after. Ugh. I already have OCD so this has been ecspecially hard. Do you know how likely it is to transfer HSV-1 to genital area? Btw, I have been calling around trying to find a doctor but I have no insurance so what am I going to do?...
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