Okay so early last year or even late 2009 (dont exactly remember the date because i thought it was nothing.), i got what i thought was a boil on my left pinky knuckle. As a child i suffered from boils. So naturally thought it was a reoccurance. Then March of last year, i got a really tiny bump on my left pinky knuckle, same spot. I only noticed it because i knocked my hand on something and the tiny bump hurt really really bad. The tiny bump turned into 3 clear looking bumps with yellowish puss around them. I went to the er cause the pain was unbearable. He gave me a visual diagnosis. Said it was Herpetic Whitlow. He asked if i worked in the dental field ir anything of that sort. Because they usually see this in dentist or dental assistants. Which i do neither of the two.
Since then i have had about two more episodes. Just not on my knuckle anymore. Its on the same finger but on the palm side. Everytime ive gone to the derm to check it out, its already dried and "crusted like". So really nothing can be done until i get another outbreak. But when i looked it up myself, i have all the signs and symptoms: a slight throbbing pain before any bump appears, that red stream down my arm to my finger, itchy, PAIN LIKE A MUTHA$#@&*, swealing, cluster of ting bumps, and puss.
I never had cold sores. Ive been tested for all stds, including herpes, by my gyn and all came back negative. My question is, if i did a blood test for all stds, including herpes, why did it come up negative? I know i was only visually diagnosised, but wouldnt it have showed up in my blood work? Is there a special test i should ask for? I know i can get the puss from my finger cultured, but is there any test i can do while i have no signs or symptoms to know for sure its herpatic whitlow?
At one point i was gonna have a culture done, but it was being done by a P.A. and she used an incorrect syringe, so the puss in my finger was lost and she pricked my skin underneath, which caused it to bleed. So i was unable to get any results.
Also, where could i have contracted this from? Been with the same guy for 7yrs and he as nothing. (He also goes for test every year). Can i get it from touchy the belongings of an infected person? (In the field of work that i do, i do this frequently)(and im sure at one time or another, ive forgotten to put on gloves) so it is a possiblity i got it that way?
Thank You
HateThisPain86
Hate it so bad sometimes i feel like cutting my finger off!!
P.s. sry for the lengthy post.