HSV-2 on my hand

[anon513]

When I was 16 I developed a round rash on the palm of my hand and it itched terribly.  I scratched it so much that it became infected and I developed a red streak going up my arm.  It was to my arm pit by the time my dad took me to the doctor.  They cultered it and told me it was HSV-2 and I must have gotten it from sexual intercourse.  They treated me and it went away.  I get flareups and sometimes i can tell when it is coming because of the pain in my hand and arm (my hand will also become numb).  I will not touch or scratch the area because of infection.  During some of the flareups i get the red streak and it is hard to get rid of.  The last time antibiotics would not make the red streak go away, they had to give me steroids.  I am having a flareup right now and as soon as i noticed i kept the area clean and covered.  I did not get a red streak and i have a prescription for Acylovir that i began taking and it is going away.  I can not find any information about this on the internet and a lot of doctors are confused by my condition and if they do not see the blisters they do not beleive me!!!  When i received a blood test i came up pos for type 1 and 2 (i have never had a cold sore).  For two years now i have been having pain in my feet and it has gotten so bad that it is hard to walk.  When i started this prescription of acylovir, after 24 to 48 hours, my feet didn't hurt and i do not know if it was a coincidence or maybe this virus is what is causing the pain in my feet.  They are now back to hurting though.  The pain gets better if i am up and moving around.  Please help me find out more information on my condition.  Thank you!!!

[gracefromHHP]

Yes it's still contagious on the hands even if the blisters don't pop.

I'd go on suppressive therapy personally. Why be bothered with recurrences so often?

grace

[anon513]

Yes, I had been.  

From what I have read about Herpes Whitlow it seems that it is in the fingers, but it is the closest that I could find to what symptoms I have.  I am just glad to hear someone else say it.  Do you know how contagious Whitlow is?  My blisters never break.  They form under the skin. and just eventually go away.  

I did have it recultered by a Doctor because she did not beleive me and it was positive that time too for HSV-2.  I beleive I was about 24 at that time.

[gracefromHHP]

My first question is - had you been sexually active before the original rash showed up ?

Herpes whitlow is the name of what you have.  The red streaks though you seem to get frequently are more indicative that you also are getting bacterial infections too.  Have you by chance had any of the recurrences of this recultured for herpes and/or bacteria?

It's not likely that the foot pain is related.  You should consult a neurologist for a further work up for that issue.  

grace