Herpes on my hand

[cewah1]

I was diagnosed with genital herpes about 1 1/2 years ago from a single lesion that was on my vagina.  Ever since, I've had no vaginal outbreaks, but outbreaks on my left hand in the same area each time.  i am on daily suppressive therapy (valtrex 1 G) but I don't quite know what to think of the situation.  I am very paranoid about spreading it to others since it's on my hand; especially since I've read that shedding occurs without symptoms, does this happen only genitally or on the hand too.  Please if anyone has a similar situation or information for me I would greatly appreciate it.


This discussion is related to Herpes on my lower leg.

[auntiejessi]

Herpetic whitlow (herpes on the finger) doesn't shed.  Only mucous membranes shed, such as the genital and mouth areas.

The skin on your finger is keratinized (thick), and wont' shed.  Just be careful of not touching anyone with the finger when you have an outbreak, or keep it covered when you are with others.

Are you getting frequent outbreaks?  If you are, you might think about suppressive therapy, with valtrex or acyclovir.

AJ

[thyckma]

I also get my outbreaks in my thumb and not my genital area, I have it right now and Its very painful...other then valtrex...Is there anything I can do to clear it up..???

Mel

[gracefromHHP]

You can try diluted tea tree oil several times a day to the area. You can also buy boro's solution ( also known as domeboro solution and burrow's solution ) and make compresses of it to apply to the lesions several times a day.  Ice to the lesions is also helpful for pain.

Do you know if you have hsv1 or hsv2 on your thumb?  How often are you getting recurrences? How much valtrex are you using?

grace

[thyckma]

I have hsv2...and I get a out break that tingles threw my hand first and then rests in my thumb every couple of months, i also get the sensation in one side of my buttocks and my foot and the back of one leg...It takes turns jumping from place to place every couple months..I take 1 pill a day when I outbreak.

mel

[gracefromHHP]

It sounds like you also have hsv2 genitally I"m betting. Have you ever had genital lesions too?  Have you thought about suppressive therapy or does your partner also have hsv2?

When you have a recurrence you need 500mg 2x/day for 3 days.  It wouldn't be unusual to take 1gm 2x/day for 3 days for thumb recurrences. Sometimes they treat them with more medication.

grace

[thyckma]

yes Ive had genital outbreaks before..not very often tho, 1 huge time a couple years ago..I thought I was gonna die! I dont have a partner at the moment, and my last partent was long term and he knew I had hsv2 and we wore proctection and i took my daily valtrex...but while Im not having sex...I stick to just outbreaks as they are expensive little pills...

mel

[auntiejessi]

If money is an issue for you (and who isn't it one for?), you can try acyclovir.  It works just as well as valtrex, but you have to take it more often for suppression.  If you don't have insurance, you can get a month's worth of suppression for about $30, give or take, in the US.

A lot of pharmacies also have savings programs you could sign up for.  I just got 3 months of acyclovir for $21.98 on one of those programs.

AJ

[gracefromHHP]

You can use acyclovir too - it's cheaper. for ob's it's 800mg 3x/day for 2 days.

grace

[thyckma]

Is acylovir in Canada as well?

[auntiejessi]

Yes, but it is more expensive there, but its still FAR cheaper than valtrex.

Aj