Does this sound like herpetic whitlow?

[Spring12]

Two months ago a small area of skin on my thumb got red and was sore to the touch. No blisters or anything else ever developed, just red and sore when touched. It went away in about 4-5 days. Two days ago I had the same thing happen. Today it is not sore, and the redness is fading. I was searching the Internet and herpetic whitlow came up and freaked me out. Does this sound like herpetic whitlow?  I've never had anything like this happen before, and don't have herpes to my knowledge. I'm going to the doctor, but can't get in til the end of the week.

[feelingundone]

I understand your concern and again it's so rare. Mostly dentist's used to get it because they had exposed fingers in mouths all day and it still wasn't common. I would really put whitlow out of your mind. Again it is a VERY painful outbreak and  you would have more than a slightly irritated spot  that goes away in a few days. Hsv of any kind usually takes two weeks to heal.

[Spring12]

Thank you for your reply! So it's not concerning even though it was in the same exact spot? Would herpetic whitlow always blister? A few weeks before it happened the first time my nail and skin had split on that finger. Also a chance I could have been exposed to others' saliva through touching a straw or medicine cup with that finger.

I just worry because I have a baby and would definitely not want to be spreading something like that.

[feelingundone]

Not a chance. Whitlow is very very rare and its extremely painful. The hands are expossed to chemicals, bug bites and everything else you can think of. Whitlow is not a concern.
Hope this helps