Non Outbreak Whitlow Transfer

[thybow1]

About four years ago I was diagnosed with a whitlow on my finger (from finger/gential contact with an infected person, there was no genital to genital contact all).   I have only had one recurrence since then and that was over a year ago.   Recently I had an outbreak on my lower leg.   I am totally puzzled as to how this could be since I know it's not the same nerve group and I've heard reinfecting yourself in other area's is very rare anyway.

But mostly I am concerned that if I managed to infect my own leg when I had no symptoms, is there a danger of infecting others who touch that hand?  Everything I have read would indicate no, or at least that the possibility would be incredibly remote, but then everything I have read also indicates I shouldn't have had an outbreak on my leg either.

Any insight would be appreciated as I am kind of freaking out now and afriad to touch people.

[thybow1]

Thank you for your help.  I wasn't sure if i had to pay for each answer.

[gracefromHHP]

I pointed out your last post to her and have asked Terri to reply to it since she seems to have missed it.

grace

[thybow1]

Had posted to Terri and she said is could be connected to the gential region if in the same dermatome and suggested I looak at a dermatome map on the web.   I did look one up and it looks like the lower shin is connected to the lower back, not genitals.   I had re-posted asking if I had read it properly but didn't get a response.  It sems pretty clear the shin and gentials are not connected.   Link to map below:

http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapter_Fig_folders/Ch06_Path_Folder/Ch06_Images/06-4%20Radiculopathy.jpg

[gracefromHHP]

The reason I recommend that is because it makes me wonder if you don't also have genital herpes and it's reoccuring further down your leg and not that you infected yourself on another body part even though you didn't have any recent obvious recurrences of the whitlow.  ( obviously I can't talk and type and think at the same time since I didn't include that in my first post...lol )

grace

[gracefromHHP]

Actually I'd run this past Terri Warren on her board here on medhelp ( you have to pay to post there ).  

I'd include a little more sexual partner history too in your post to her.  

grace

[thybow1]

Diagnosed by my dermatologist with a lab test, both places.  Did not type, he said it wasn't really relevant.

[gracefromHHP]

How were you originally diagnosed as having whitlow?  Did they type it?

Did you go and be seen for this new leg issue and get it cultured and typed for herpes too?

grace