Aa
Possible to get herpes on nipples and areola?
Hi
I'm totally devastated right now. Last Nov 25, I had sore and lesions around my big nipples. Both of my nipples... THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I EVER HAD THIS IN MY LIFE. A day before that, I made love to my husband. That was the last sex I had with him before this condition happened. Well, we almost do this at least 3 times a week. He loved sucking my big nipples using his teeth and I had a feeling that's the reason why it got aggravated. On the 26th, I felt the pain more - like a stabbing pain. I suspected it got worse coz of my tight-fitting shirt and my bra. I decided to wear loose shirt and then apply bacitracin. Moreover, to soothe the pain, I cleaned it using water with apple cider vinegar and then apply some coconut oil because I suspected it to be a fungal/yeast infection caused by candida, or a nipple thrush, even if I'm not lactating (based on my research, possible to have it even for non-lactating women).
Then on the 27th, I felt better with the help of that coconut oil but the pain is still there and it's manageable. And then I noticed white bumps. One white bump on my left areola then 2 on my right areola. Pls note, this does not look like tiny blister in cluster forms. They looked like some sort of a hair follicle infection – well at least to me. You know, those dots around the areola? I believe that's an areolar gland. So, that's where the bumps are. Then on my left breast, it has some redness. I got panicked coz I began to think it could be breast inflammatory cancer or what, so we decided to go the hospital on the 28th.
At the emergency, the doctor asked me for any symptoms. I don't feel any weirdness going on my body, like fatigue, loss of appetite or fever. I felt normal except this pain I have with my nipples and areola. The doctor could not say what this could be so she suggested me to have swab test on these bumps by breaking them. (Man, it hurt! I thought I have to undergo mammogram/MRI screening, etc. But nope!)
One for herpes through viral culture test and the other one is for bacterial infection. Then, she gave me a prescription for a 4-mix cream, which includes anti-bacterial cream, desitin, chlotrimazole and hydrocortisone. I applied this twice a day and I could see the progress.
A day after that, the ER doctor referred me to an infectious disease specialist while waiting for the results. Basically, she is also unaware about my condition and can't rule out yet. But she said it COULD NOT BE HERPES. So, I was glad to hear that. She prescribed me an oral antibacterial pills for 5 days. Again, I saw some progress. My nips and areola are beginning to heal.
Then today, I felt like they are doing pretty well now but I still continued applying that 4-mix cream. My happiness subsided when I received a phone call from that specialist and told me that I have a positive result for HERPES TYPE1 and positive result on bacterial infection. Like WHAT?!!! I was so emotional and depressed.
Due to that, I wasn't able to ask these questions to my doctor. Appreciate if you could enlighten me this. And sorry for a long post.
1. Is it possible really to have herpes type 1 on your nipples and areola? Before this condition happened, I had an IgG blood test and it was negative for both types 1 and 2 last Jan 2016. I took this test coz my GYN told me to do so as I had some sort of a cut in my genital area. My husband also had a negative result. AND NOW, a positive result through viral culture test. HOW COULD THIS BE POSSIBLE? I only have a monogamous relationship. But my hubby got 2 other relationships before me. He did not notice any abnormalities like cold sores happened on his body throughout of his life.
2. Herpes type 1 is not an STD-type of thing?
3. This is still unacceptable for me. For how long should I wait til I have that next IgG blood test again? I wanna ensure if these lab test results are accurate.
4. Speaking of accuracy, is the viral culture test reliable? Can it be a false positive?
5. Are there any other reliable tests to prove if one (who is not experiencing any symptoms) is positive or negative herpes aside form this viral culture test and blood test? I'm talking about after the outbreak. I want to know if there are herpes anti-bodies present.
6. How can you tell if it's herpes? Like I said, I felt tingling and painful sensation, a bit of redness only on my one breast, lesions around my nipples and some white bumps. But these white bumps are not in cluster form though…. With the help of the cream, it somehow worked. Now, they looked ok and normal to me. Based on my description, did you think it could be other else, and not herpes? So weird that the specialist first said IT'S NOT HERPES and now a positive result. Ugh!
7. Lastly, we do kiss a lot too and even do oral sex. But no cold sores or whatsoever for both of us. Only this thing I had in my nipples and areola. Do you think this positive result viral culture test could be WRONG?
1. It will effect breast feeding if indeed you have hsv1 on your breasts. That's it. It wont spread to your baby any other way.
2.just let your obgyn know of the location. That way you can plan on pumping the milk or going with formula.
3. Absolutely not. It's not an oral infection. Hsv stays in tbe nerve group ot was contracted in. It's not in your blood and doesn't wander around the body.
4. Short answer is no. Auto inoculation is very rare so spreading it around your body is not realistic at all.
5. Having hsv1 makes you no more or less vulnerable to hsv2.
6. It's only available from the universaty of Washington. They send out kits. Your dr draws the blood and ships it back. Being in Canada I do not know if that's something they will do. You can always contact them and see.
7. No they are not and this type of infection is rare. You have every right to be suspicious.
8.igg blood test. Unlike the igg for hsv1 the test for hsv2 is far more accurate.
9.daily antiviral meds but It's probably not necessary for hsv1. You may never get another.
10. You can share whatwver you like. Like i said before, it stays in the breast area so you will not infect anyone. Plus hsv1 whwn not an oral infection is of little threat to even sexual partners. This is due to very few if any future outbreaks and the very low rate of asymptomatic shedding.
11.see my previous answer. Your giving tbe virus to much credit. If infact you have it thst would mean you got it from your husband. You can not reinfect him with something he already has. You surely will never infect anyone else. Lets say you and your husband split (just for the sake of my point here) thw odds you could ever pass it to another partner is astronomically low.
2.just let your obgyn know of the location. That way you can plan on pumping the milk or going with formula.
3. Absolutely not. It's not an oral infection. Hsv stays in tbe nerve group ot was contracted in. It's not in your blood and doesn't wander around the body.
4. Short answer is no. Auto inoculation is very rare so spreading it around your body is not realistic at all.
5. Having hsv1 makes you no more or less vulnerable to hsv2.
6. It's only available from the universaty of Washington. They send out kits. Your dr draws the blood and ships it back. Being in Canada I do not know if that's something they will do. You can always contact them and see.
7. No they are not and this type of infection is rare. You have every right to be suspicious.
8.igg blood test. Unlike the igg for hsv1 the test for hsv2 is far more accurate.
9.daily antiviral meds but It's probably not necessary for hsv1. You may never get another.
10. You can share whatwver you like. Like i said before, it stays in the breast area so you will not infect anyone. Plus hsv1 whwn not an oral infection is of little threat to even sexual partners. This is due to very few if any future outbreaks and the very low rate of asymptomatic shedding.
11.see my previous answer. Your giving tbe virus to much credit. If infact you have it thst would mean you got it from your husband. You can not reinfect him with something he already has. You surely will never infect anyone else. Lets say you and your husband split (just for the sake of my point here) thw odds you could ever pass it to another partner is astronomically low.
2 Comments
Thank you very much!
I feel like I have something going on down my private area. Im afraid this could be related to herpes, as he did oral sex to me. This happened like years ago but I didnt take it seriously coz I thought this is just one of the moment of having an itchy vagi. I do shaving and stuffs like that. But when I came to know I have herpes virus 1, I became paranoid.
1. Is this possible?
2. I dont see any white pus for now but I wanted to know what type of herpes is this. A cotton swab test cant be done. Could you pls advise what test should I undergo? For now the situation is getting better coz I use antibacterial and the same 4 mix cream I used as my nipples, Like I said, I dont see any pus, but I see like a jagged cluster of super tiny bumps. More like a size of a pore that swells.
3. Say, the virus is type 1, is this considered genitalia herpes? And is this STD??!! Pls no...
I feel like I have something going on down my private area. Im afraid this could be related to herpes, as he did oral sex to me. This happened like years ago but I didnt take it seriously coz I thought this is just one of the moment of having an itchy vagi. I do shaving and stuffs like that. But when I came to know I have herpes virus 1, I became paranoid.
1. Is this possible?
2. I dont see any white pus for now but I wanted to know what type of herpes is this. A cotton swab test cant be done. Could you pls advise what test should I undergo? For now the situation is getting better coz I use antibacterial and the same 4 mix cream I used as my nipples, Like I said, I dont see any pus, but I see like a jagged cluster of super tiny bumps. More like a size of a pore that swells.
3. Say, the virus is type 1, is this considered genitalia herpes? And is this STD??!! Pls no...
4. Lastly, now that my husband(has an asymptomatic condition) and I are herpes type 1 positive, we plan of having a baby. If we dont use condom (I read that condom prevents it as a barrier), will I get re-infected to other parts of my vagina area, say, urethra, labia, and the inside of the vagi itself etc? Im so worried.
That is an antiviral drug made to help suppress herpes outbreaks.
1.it is possible but rare to get hsv1 on your nipples. It's odd to have an outbreak on both though. Igg hsv1 tests are not very good and can miss up to 30% of infections
2. Oral hsv1 is not considered an std but on other areas ot really is. Hsv1 is becoming the most popular new genital hsv infection from oral sex.
3. I understand your frustration but swab tests trump blood tests. Swab finds the actual virus while igg blood tests look for antibodies you produce to combat tbe virus and hsv1 igg again can miss up to 30% of infections. Retest at twelve weeks from exposure if you want. Hsv1 when not an oral infection is not a big deal. You may never have another outbreak and it sheds very little. I know you're in shock but if you do have hsv1 on your breasts it won't effect your life much at all.
4. False positives only occur if tbe lab screwed up some how and that's pretty rare. These tests are far better than any blood test and more accurate when a positive result is had.
5.the western blot uis the very best bloodtest for hsv1. Contact tbe universaty of washington if you're in the United States.
6.all you can do is test.no way right now to know for sure but if you just contrwcted it that means your husband gave it to you so now you both have it. Well over half the adult population has hsv1. It's also common for him to not get cold sores and still have the virus. Either way it's not a big deal. I can't say with any accuracy if you have hsv1. The swab says yes and unless the lab screwed sometbing up I tend ro put fairh in positive swab tests. Another factor is it came back positive for hsv1. That's by FAR the most common oral infection and thats what was on your breasts. Makes sense.
7.very doubtful but not impossible.
1.it is possible but rare to get hsv1 on your nipples. It's odd to have an outbreak on both though. Igg hsv1 tests are not very good and can miss up to 30% of infections
2. Oral hsv1 is not considered an std but on other areas ot really is. Hsv1 is becoming the most popular new genital hsv infection from oral sex.
3. I understand your frustration but swab tests trump blood tests. Swab finds the actual virus while igg blood tests look for antibodies you produce to combat tbe virus and hsv1 igg again can miss up to 30% of infections. Retest at twelve weeks from exposure if you want. Hsv1 when not an oral infection is not a big deal. You may never have another outbreak and it sheds very little. I know you're in shock but if you do have hsv1 on your breasts it won't effect your life much at all.
4. False positives only occur if tbe lab screwed up some how and that's pretty rare. These tests are far better than any blood test and more accurate when a positive result is had.
5.the western blot uis the very best bloodtest for hsv1. Contact tbe universaty of washington if you're in the United States.
6.all you can do is test.no way right now to know for sure but if you just contrwcted it that means your husband gave it to you so now you both have it. Well over half the adult population has hsv1. It's also common for him to not get cold sores and still have the virus. Either way it's not a big deal. I can't say with any accuracy if you have hsv1. The swab says yes and unless the lab screwed sometbing up I tend ro put fairh in positive swab tests. Another factor is it came back positive for hsv1. That's by FAR the most common oral infection and thats what was on your breasts. Makes sense.
7.very doubtful but not impossible.
3 Comments
Thank you for your reply! I have further questions, if you would not mind.
1. Now that I have herpes type 1, how will this affect my pregnancy? Will it create complication? And most importantly, will it pass on to the infant?
2. We have plans of having a baby and knowing this, I fear for the baby's health. Shall I inform the GYN right ahead that I have herpes type 1 if ever I would get accidental pregnancy?
3.With this, does it also mean I have to refrain from kissing and hugging babies? I have a nephew and I do love kissing and cuddling him. I heard about how dangerous it could be once virus is transmitted to a baby coz this causes meningitis.
4. Will it spread to other parts of my body? I'm scared it might spread to my chest and down to my stomach, esp when taking a shower. And most esp to face like eyes (ocular herpes) and fingers (whitlow). If so, how could I avoid it?
5. If one has HSV1, is he/she vulnerable to HSV2 too?
6. Would you know how much is the western blot test? I'm from Canada. Is it only in Washington?
7. I'm still in total denial about this disease. Based on my observation, the bumps did not start turning red and blister lesions are not in cluster. I just only thought a simple infection on my hair follicle or gland. I made some research and said the virus prefers mucous membrane. So, are nipples/areola mucous membrane then?
8. I'm afraid about this HSV2. Knowing that it's possible for a person not to have any symptoms but has a dormant virus into the system. What test shall I undergo just to double check that I am free from virus type 2?
1. Now that I have herpes type 1, how will this affect my pregnancy? Will it create complication? And most importantly, will it pass on to the infant?
2. We have plans of having a baby and knowing this, I fear for the baby's health. Shall I inform the GYN right ahead that I have herpes type 1 if ever I would get accidental pregnancy?
3.With this, does it also mean I have to refrain from kissing and hugging babies? I have a nephew and I do love kissing and cuddling him. I heard about how dangerous it could be once virus is transmitted to a baby coz this causes meningitis.
4. Will it spread to other parts of my body? I'm scared it might spread to my chest and down to my stomach, esp when taking a shower. And most esp to face like eyes (ocular herpes) and fingers (whitlow). If so, how could I avoid it?
5. If one has HSV1, is he/she vulnerable to HSV2 too?
6. Would you know how much is the western blot test? I'm from Canada. Is it only in Washington?
7. I'm still in total denial about this disease. Based on my observation, the bumps did not start turning red and blister lesions are not in cluster. I just only thought a simple infection on my hair follicle or gland. I made some research and said the virus prefers mucous membrane. So, are nipples/areola mucous membrane then?
8. I'm afraid about this HSV2. Knowing that it's possible for a person not to have any symptoms but has a dormant virus into the system. What test shall I undergo just to double check that I am free from virus type 2?
9. How could I prevent myself from having another outbreak?
10. How will this virus be transmitted to another person? Does that mean no sharing of utensils, no more kissing on lips and cheeks, etc? Or that is only applicable if you suspected to be shedding virus or when you have an outbreak?
10. How will this virus be transmitted to another person? Does that mean no sharing of utensils, no more kissing on lips and cheeks, etc? Or that is only applicable if you suspected to be shedding virus or when you have an outbreak?
11. For as long as the virus stays inactive, you can live a normal life (e.g. making love to your husband) and does not have to worry to transmit this virus to others (eg. kissing the cheeks)? Meaning, the transmission can only happen if the virus is active?
In addition to this, I had a prescriptions called acyclovir and I did not take it. Coz it still is unacceptable for me to have herpes. But for my own knowledge, what is this for? When do you have to take this medication?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
