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Can I get herpes on my hip/waist?
Hello. I am a very confused and frustrated 31 yr old woman. I would really appreciate any insight or help. Today is Sunday. One week ago (last sunday) i was in a bikini at a public pool when I noticed a weird rash of multiple red bumps on my right hip just below my waistline. It is right where my palm would be if I "put my hand on my hips". I thought it was an allergic reaction or a spider bite. But the next day it began itching and burning like crazy. The itch spreads all the way to my low back, even though there is no rash there. By Wed It had not lessened at all so I went to a cheap dermatologist (I don't have health insurance). I thought it might be scabies. He said it could be a viral infection but it was probably contact dermatitis, not contagious. Told me to put cortisone cream on it. To test for herpes he would need to take culture of blister fluid, but I didn't have any blisters so he said not to worry. On Fri, I went to a general doc who said it was prob contact dermatitis and to use cortisone cream. But Fri night I developed 3 swollen lymph nodes in my right groin area. The rash had deveoped very tiny clear fluid filled bumps. I rushed back to the cheap dermatologist on Sat morning. He took one look at the rash and said it definitely was herpes, probably hsv-1. He said there was no need to do a culture test and he made me feel stupid for asking. His diagnosis was purely visual. Today there are tiny brown scabs where the tiny bumps were. The rash seems to be getting better, but the area is still red, splotchy, and itchy. My lymph nodes are still hard lumps. BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND! I have been in a monogamous relationship for over 2 yrs. It has been rocky lately so we haven't been intimate in a month or 2. I know I could have been infected earlier in life by an asymptomatic person and herpes can lay dormant for years. But I have never had any outbreak or any symptoms on my genitals or mouth ever. I have not had sex recently. My boyfriend has never had any outbreak or symptoms. The dermatologist sad that the only way I could have gotten infected was by that specific area of my hip coming into direct contact with an infected person's blister fluid (although that is not what I understand to be true). I can say for a fact that I never let someone rub their rash on my waistline. He also said that I could touch my rash and then touch other parts of my own body (including my genitals or mouth) and I would not spread the virus to any other part of my body. I have done a lot of research, but I am still confused. My questions are as follows:
1.Is it even possible to have herpes on my hip/waist/low back??
2. If it's herpes, Is it possible that my first outbreak ever would be on my waist? Or would it have to show up on my mouth, genitals, buttock, or even thigh area first?
3. Would hip/waist herpes be considered hsv-1 or hsv-2?
4. If this is herpes, will I get the rash in the same place each time? Or can it show up on my genitals or face next time?
5. If i have an outbreak only on my waist and I completely cover it with a large band aid, am I still shedding the virus through my saliva & vaginal secretions? Can I spread the virus to my boyfriend by kissing him? having sex? sharing water cup and eating utensils?..even if the rash is covered?
6. If I touch my rash and then touch my mouth, eye, genitals, can I spread the herpes to those locations or cause an outbreak there?
7, When we thought it was a bug bite, my boyfriend touched the rash with his finger. Could he have contracted the virus? I read somewhere that thick skin like the thigh (waist?) doesn't shed virus, unlike thin skin on the mouth/genitals.
8. Even though I have not been intimate with my boyfriend (or anyone!) for about a month before I developed this rash, could I still have infected him with the virus during unprotected sex in the last 2 years?
9. The doctor told me there was nothing I should take or put on the herpes rash to help it. He told me to just wait for it to go away. Is that true? Will lysine or tea tree oil help?
10. Or is this doctor completely incompetent and he should have done a culture when the blisters were present? Given my symptoms is it possible that this is something else?
11. If I get a hsv blood test, how accurate will it be? and does it matter if I get the blood test done a long time after the rash is gone? (I go to a low income clinic and it can take months to get anything done, and I am also leaving the country for work tomorrow)
Thank you so much for your time and help!!
1.Is it even possible to have herpes on my hip/waist/low back??
2. If it's herpes, Is it possible that my first outbreak ever would be on my waist? Or would it have to show up on my mouth, genitals, buttock, or even thigh area first?
3. Would hip/waist herpes be considered hsv-1 or hsv-2?
4. If this is herpes, will I get the rash in the same place each time? Or can it show up on my genitals or face next time?
5. If i have an outbreak only on my waist and I completely cover it with a large band aid, am I still shedding the virus through my saliva & vaginal secretions? Can I spread the virus to my boyfriend by kissing him? having sex? sharing water cup and eating utensils?..even if the rash is covered?
6. If I touch my rash and then touch my mouth, eye, genitals, can I spread the herpes to those locations or cause an outbreak there?
7, When we thought it was a bug bite, my boyfriend touched the rash with his finger. Could he have contracted the virus? I read somewhere that thick skin like the thigh (waist?) doesn't shed virus, unlike thin skin on the mouth/genitals.
8. Even though I have not been intimate with my boyfriend (or anyone!) for about a month before I developed this rash, could I still have infected him with the virus during unprotected sex in the last 2 years?
9. The doctor told me there was nothing I should take or put on the herpes rash to help it. He told me to just wait for it to go away. Is that true? Will lysine or tea tree oil help?
10. Or is this doctor completely incompetent and he should have done a culture when the blisters were present? Given my symptoms is it possible that this is something else?
11. If I get a hsv blood test, how accurate will it be? and does it matter if I get the blood test done a long time after the rash is gone? (I go to a low income clinic and it can take months to get anything done, and I am also leaving the country for work tomorrow)
Thank you so much for your time and help!!
I had the same thing in the same spot. Right where my palm would be on my hip. I had it tested and it is herpes simplex too. My husband does not and never has had herpes. I’ve never been with anyone that has herpes. I was told by somebody else that had this problem that they believe they contacted it through a tanning bed. Bingo. I had been visiting a tanning salon during this period. I’ve never gotten them anywhere else on my body except for that hip. My suggestion? Don’t visit tanning salons anymore! LOL they obviously didn’t clean the bed very good.
Hello,
I just wanted to post an update. I got an IgG type specific blood test done. I tested 8.0 for herpes zoster (shingles). So, it turned out to be shingles. Thank you so much for all of your help and information. I honestly learned a lot from my panic driven research.
I just wanted to post an update. I got an IgG type specific blood test done. I tested 8.0 for herpes zoster (shingles). So, it turned out to be shingles. Thank you so much for all of your help and information. I honestly learned a lot from my panic driven research.
1 Comments
Have you ever had chickenpox? Have you had anymore shingles outbreaks since then? I am experiencing the same thing in my 30s. I was told it's probably shingles, after 1 Dr. visit. They didn't do a swab, as they were already starting to scab. It was just a visual diagnosis at a walk-in clinic. I was prescribed valtrex for it, (herpes medicine). I was wondering after the doctor's appointment if they could do a blood test for shingles. Then I wondered if it would be positive no matter what since it's an aftermath of chickenpox, if you've ever had them...? I did when I was a small child, so I wonder if the shingles virus blood test will always come back positive, whether it's dormant or active...? I am experiencing so much of what you described in your experience, to a T. How long did it last for you? Any other health care professionals feel free to chime in. Thank you!
Thank you so very much for your rapid and thorough response!! I really appreciate. I have been so nervous (and still am). I am getting on a plane now, but I will get a blood test as soon as I am back in the country.
I feel the main thing give a comment on is the fact that you do not have a firm diagnosis of genital HSV1 or HSV2. This should be pursued at least through a blood test right now (IgG antibody, type specific for HSV1 and HSV2) and an immediate swab of a fresh emergence of any patch, sores or not, PCR testing is very sensitive these days and blister filled sores are more preferred for the old fashioned culture test for an accurate diagnosis.
To the questions:
1. Yes this is very possible, some people do experience outbreaks in this area.
2. Most probably only one nerve ganglion system is infected with HSV1 or HSV2. Outbreaks can then occur anywhere the nerves reach from that ganglion but nowhere else. Hence if your sacral ganglion is infected with HSV1 or HSV2 then only nerve endings that reach out to areas covered roughly by your boxer short area can experience an outbreak. This doesn't mean that your oral region is or isn't separately infected.
3. Herpes is not location determined but they are distinct viruses that can infect any nerve system in your body but mainly oral and genital. You can't tell by observation whether you have 1 or 2.
4. It can show up anywhere in the genital region only, people find usually that herpes doesn't move around too much, that is, the same nerve branches often experience the outbreaks.
5. It needs to be assumed that you may be shedding anywhere but only in the genital area.
6. Yes you can but this is rare with any form of care exercised and once the infection is established it is nearly impossible with a healthy immune system.
7. You may well be correct here, not much is known about shedding outside of oral, genital but it seems much rarer. Your bf was not infected by touching, does he have any form of HSV?
8. Yes he could have been infected previously, he may even be your source if this is what it is.
9. Antivirals might be very helpful, either taken orally or topical creams like Zovirax.
10. I wouldn't be overly thrilled with the approach or diagnosis, no.
11. Yes a blood test as mentioned at the outset will identify the infection with or without lesions, the antibodies are permanently in your blood.
To the questions:
1. Yes this is very possible, some people do experience outbreaks in this area.
2. Most probably only one nerve ganglion system is infected with HSV1 or HSV2. Outbreaks can then occur anywhere the nerves reach from that ganglion but nowhere else. Hence if your sacral ganglion is infected with HSV1 or HSV2 then only nerve endings that reach out to areas covered roughly by your boxer short area can experience an outbreak. This doesn't mean that your oral region is or isn't separately infected.
3. Herpes is not location determined but they are distinct viruses that can infect any nerve system in your body but mainly oral and genital. You can't tell by observation whether you have 1 or 2.
4. It can show up anywhere in the genital region only, people find usually that herpes doesn't move around too much, that is, the same nerve branches often experience the outbreaks.
5. It needs to be assumed that you may be shedding anywhere but only in the genital area.
6. Yes you can but this is rare with any form of care exercised and once the infection is established it is nearly impossible with a healthy immune system.
7. You may well be correct here, not much is known about shedding outside of oral, genital but it seems much rarer. Your bf was not infected by touching, does he have any form of HSV?
8. Yes he could have been infected previously, he may even be your source if this is what it is.
9. Antivirals might be very helpful, either taken orally or topical creams like Zovirax.
10. I wouldn't be overly thrilled with the approach or diagnosis, no.
11. Yes a blood test as mentioned at the outset will identify the infection with or without lesions, the antibodies are permanently in your blood.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
