Bumps on L index finger

[ChadRHead]

My 32yo wife works in a pet store developed a  small fluid filled lesion that spread around the index middle knuckle. We went to a doctor and without testing he dx'd it herpes and gave acyclovir. It didn't seem to help but eventually it peeled and mostly went away. Not long after she developed three largeish (1mm or so) nodules just under the skin along with joint pain. The bumps started showing over a week and as they got larger the joint pain spread up the finger and across the hand. As it got worse we noticed the pad on her hand next to the index finger was swelling with a lot of pain to the touch. We talked to another ortho doc and he said it was carpel tunnel, or trigger finger and wants to inject steroids. He did xrays and the bumps did not show so he ignored them and no other testing was done. Do you agree with this or is there any other testing you'd recommend. I'm worried that this Tx. would agrivate an infection.
Thanks, Chad

[NANAMAMALPN]

OF COURSE DERMATOLOGIST BEST ANSWER. NOW WHAT YOU DESCRIBE SOUNDS LIKE HOW SHINGLES TURNED UP ON ME A FEW YEARS AGO. IT LASTED A FEW MONTHS.
CONCERNED LPN

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it does not sound like Carpal tunnel syndrome to me. It can be herpetic whitlow which presents as painful bumps on the fingers, cellulitis skin or Osler’s nodes. Herpetic whitlow is a painful viral infection occurring on the fingers or around the fingernails. Herpetic whitlow is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Osler’s nodes are painful, red, raised lesions on the palms and soles. They are associated with a number of conditions, including infective endocarditis. I would suggest a dermatologist’s and physician’s evaluation for the same.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.