Herpes All Over Body?

[InNeedOfAnswersPlease]

Hi! I was wondering if you could help me with a problem I've been having for a few months now. About five months ago, in April, I tested positive for having the HSV virus through my OBGYN. I had gone in for a pap-smear and for possible hormonal imbalance blood testing that I thought might have been causing small bumps on my lower buttocks/thigh area. The bumps were small-dime sized and itched, especially if I sat on one wrong. I had the bumps starting early in March and they lasted until April, but cleared up before I went to my gyno, and only scars were left. She then had me tested a month later, which is when I came back positive for HSV. She said that I had come in contact with the virus sometime in the past year, and it would be another year until we would be able to effectively test to see which strain I had. (HSV-1 or 2). I was devastated, but my partner was very reassuring and caring about the whole situation. Over the last 4-5 months I have felt like I have been dealing with this issue a LOT though. I have had two distinct "outbreaks" where I will get headaches/feverish before I "break out." But usually a breakout consists of itching ALL over the body and no rash besides between 15-25 spread out (all over the body) TINY bumps that look smaller than flea bites. Hardly noticeable. They never appear in clumps or groups like "normal" herpes pictures suggest. And mind you, I will be itchy for days ALL over my body. Head, ears, inside the nostrils, face, neck, behind the ears, vagina (internally and externally) chest, arms, stomach, back, buttocks, thighs (front and back), calves (front and back) and even top of feet. At the time I had been diagnosed with HSV, it had been a year since I had gotten Chicken Pox for the first time. My symptoms of break out seem to be VERY much like my chicken pox symptoms, just my bumps are not "blistery," as they look more like tiny bug bites. Most of the time I'm just itchy EVERYWHERE... the area may not have a bump on it at all!! I am constantly scratching. Recently, about a month ago I had an outbreak, and after it recovered a week and a half later I had another outbreak! Very frustrating. My question is, could this virus have more of a correlation with my Herpes Zoster virus? Could you test positive for HSV if it's the Herpes Zoster virus? Or do the tests detect two completely different things? If it was the Herpes Zoster virus, does this sound like the symptoms? I am almost 19, and I thought that adults with the Herpes Zoster virus got more of painful, shingle symptoms, not so much itchy, scattered bump, chickenpox like symptoms. Please let me know what you think! Or if you just think this is normal herpes spread all over my body. Or if it's possibly something else? Please let me know! Thanks!

[Carly255]

A general search for symptoms of allergic reaction (which I guess would include drug allergic reaction)...

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/allergy-basics

...allergens cause a whole-body allergic reaction that can include:
- Hives and itching all over (not just in the exposed area)
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Hoarseness or tightness in the throat
- Tingling in the hands, feet, lips or scalp

I experienced nausea, slight tightening of throat, faintness and unsteadiness, drowiness which is why I started looking at Caltrex side effects, only then did I see Valtrex allergic reaction might also explain tingling in face/scalp/hands.

I've had all these symptoms since starting Valtrex beginning of ob, but didn't even consider drug reaction as just worried/scared re possible presence of hsv in all these places if I am infectious to others in these places.

Omg I'm exhausted with all the reading I've done (and depressed/scared), I feel I'm floundering in the dark looking for explanations!!

[lansie]

it's hell

[Carly255]

Did you start Valtrex suppression meds - hives is a recognised side effect.

I have tingling/prickly skin (maybe itchy on scalp) sensation on hands and head, all over the place for a few seconds. Valtrex side effects lists...

Allergic: Acute hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, dyspnea, pruritus, rash, and urticaria

http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2253

I think angioedema and pruritus are the ones to look at.
I can't work out if angioedema would cause the tingling/prickly sensation?

[sunshinemore]

From reading all these comments and hearing how everyone has herpes, some form of it.  Id say this itching and bumps is from that.  The break down of the immune system.  When you have a break down of the immune system skin issues develop. Example once you have mersa you can have psoriasis.  This could be excema and rashes. Doctors really need to run more tests and study this better.  These diseases affect the immune system which triggers a lot in people and everyone differently depending how you fight it.  Even Aids you get sores, why? because the immune system is failing.  Boost it up when you have herpes,  HPv, Epstein bar virus with vitamins , exercise and no stress, symptoms go away, a no brainer. But have stress, eat poorly don't take care of yourself more symptoms.  

[catinbarefeet]

Your symptoms really don't sound like herpes. What they do sound like is hives. My dermatologist explained it this way - the way bug bites often work is that once you've had a bug bite, your body becomes susceptible to breaking out all over the body the very next time you get a bug bite. This was exactly what happened to me. She put me on an over the counter antihistamine (Claritin I think) for 3 weeks, and they went away. I suspect that if I'd started on them as soon as the hives started showing up, they would have been gone much sooner.

[bluejay000]

I'm another one who experiences these exact symptoms after being diagnosed with HSV 2, although my all over itching is much less severe, but the bumps itch and look like insect bites. So many of us with similar symptoms there must be something to it. Would be curious to know if anyone has any clarification about this. I asked a (straight out of uni) doctor and all they could say was "that's not herpes". I'm not convinced.

[whiteshadowcgb]

any update as to what this actually was? was it all herpes related?