Burning Mouth along with Blisters on Fingers

[saearl]

Hi. For the past 3 years, my husband has strange outbreaks about 3 times a year of a really really sore mouth - his mouth looks like he has sever canker sores on the inside  - and along with this, he gets small blisters on the joints of his fingers, deeply under the skin that are painful. he has no other symptoms and just waits it out. at it's most severe, he couldn't eat for about 10 days and that was the first time he got this. our dr. tested him for autoimmune diseases and he came back with a clean bill of health. the dentist said maybe a virus. since that one severe outbreak he has had this 2 - 3 times a year but not nearly as severe. Any guesses as to what this may be??

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Thanks for writing.

A herpetic whitlow is a lesion on a finger or thumb caused by the herpes simplex virus. In adults it is more common for the primary source to be the genital region, with a corresponding preponderance of HSV-2. Although it is a self-limited illness, topical antivirals, particularly topical acyclovir, have been shown to be effective in decreasing the duration of symptoms.

I am forwarding you the url of a website where you can see the lesions of herpetic  whitlow and see if they match with that of your husband’s.
http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/herpeticWhitlow.htm

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing and if you have any additional queries.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination,it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis,but the various possibilities are lichen planus,celiac disease or herpes cold sores.

Lichen planus is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and the oral mucosa, and presents itself in the form of papules, lesions or rashes.Herpes may cause cold sores to appear around mouth and lips and on skin.They may reoccur as the virus lies dormant in the nerve endings and may activate again and again.Celiac disease also causes recurring canker sores and an itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis.

I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and discuss these possibilities with him.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[RJ233]

You may find info on the following site  

mayoclinic.com               Hope it helps