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Question about genital herpes outbreak
Doctor,
I've been having a recurrent genital herpes outbreak for about 10 days now. The blisters showed up as small, pimple-like bumps and they appear to be finally fading somewhat. However, 4 days ago (about a week into the outbreak), I foolishly attempted to put Abreva on the sores and around the affected area. Notably, I applied the cream somewhat aggresively and massged it into the skin on the shaft of my penis in between some of the blisters. The next day, the entire area on the shaft of my penis got very itchy and small, water blisters appeared. These blisters did not look like the original sores, which were red in color. The water blisters have now turned into a patch of moderately painful broken skin, which is red in color and blotchy. It is also wet at times and appears to be oozing a bit of liquid.
My question is as follows: Is it possible that what seems to be a reaction to the abreva is actually additional herpes blisters? Is it possible for additional herpes blisters to form a week into the outbreak? Up until I used the abreva, no additional blisters had formed after the onset of the outbreak. Could this have been a coincidence or is it likely just a skin reaction to the chemicals? Or could the abvreva have spread or caused an additional outbreak in the spot in which it was applied? Thanks a lot in advance.
I've been having a recurrent genital herpes outbreak for about 10 days now. The blisters showed up as small, pimple-like bumps and they appear to be finally fading somewhat. However, 4 days ago (about a week into the outbreak), I foolishly attempted to put Abreva on the sores and around the affected area. Notably, I applied the cream somewhat aggresively and massged it into the skin on the shaft of my penis in between some of the blisters. The next day, the entire area on the shaft of my penis got very itchy and small, water blisters appeared. These blisters did not look like the original sores, which were red in color. The water blisters have now turned into a patch of moderately painful broken skin, which is red in color and blotchy. It is also wet at times and appears to be oozing a bit of liquid.
My question is as follows: Is it possible that what seems to be a reaction to the abreva is actually additional herpes blisters? Is it possible for additional herpes blisters to form a week into the outbreak? Up until I used the abreva, no additional blisters had formed after the onset of the outbreak. Could this have been a coincidence or is it likely just a skin reaction to the chemicals? Or could the abvreva have spread or caused an additional outbreak in the spot in which it was applied? Thanks a lot in advance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This information makes it seem like a reaction to the drug, perhaps contact dermatitis. You may be allergic to docosanol or one of the other ingredients in the cream. But this is only an educated guess; I cannot make a specific diagnosis.
Thanks for the input Doc. I forgot to mention that the new symptoms following the abreva application took place in two spots, both of which were the exact locations where I applied the abreva most heavily (e.g. Not just on the herpes blisters but on the entire surrounding area). Wouldn't that seem to be too much of a coincidence to be an additional herpes outbreak, especially given that the following day the new symptoms occured whereas additional sores did not present for the entire first week of the outbreak? Thanks again!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
Abreva (the trade name for docosanol) is not highly effective against HSV and has never been studied for genital herpes, only oral; and even there is barely better than placebo, if at all, and is not recommended by any authoritative agency for herpes treatment. Accordingly, I have no personal experience with docosanol and no familiarity with its side effects; I cannot comment on whether you are having drug-related irritation, a continuing herpes outbreak, or something else entirely. However, recurrent herpes outbreaks almost always start to heal within 10 days and are completely healed by 2 weeks, and new lesions rarely keep appearing beyond the first 2-3 days. (New lesions can continue to appear for up to 2-3 weeks in initial genital herpes, but not with recurrent outbreaks.) That suggests that a continuing herpes outbreak is unlikely. To my knowledge, docosanol would not prolong an outbreak or somehow cause new lesions to appear.
For what it is worth, your description of the outbreak before treatment is not typical for genital herpes. If previously you have had similar episodes confirmed as herpes, then presumably that is what you have. But if this is a self-diagnosis that has not been professionally confirmed, I recommend you see a knowledgeable provider for diagnosis.
At this point, my advice is to stop docosanol (which you may have already done). Things should heal up promptly, regardless of the cause. If that doesn't happen, see a doctor or clinic for professional evaluation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Abreva (the trade name for docosanol) is not highly effective against HSV and has never been studied for genital herpes, only oral; and even there is barely better than placebo, if at all, and is not recommended by any authoritative agency for herpes treatment. Accordingly, I have no personal experience with docosanol and no familiarity with its side effects; I cannot comment on whether you are having drug-related irritation, a continuing herpes outbreak, or something else entirely. However, recurrent herpes outbreaks almost always start to heal within 10 days and are completely healed by 2 weeks, and new lesions rarely keep appearing beyond the first 2-3 days. (New lesions can continue to appear for up to 2-3 weeks in initial genital herpes, but not with recurrent outbreaks.) That suggests that a continuing herpes outbreak is unlikely. To my knowledge, docosanol would not prolong an outbreak or somehow cause new lesions to appear.
For what it is worth, your description of the outbreak before treatment is not typical for genital herpes. If previously you have had similar episodes confirmed as herpes, then presumably that is what you have. But if this is a self-diagnosis that has not been professionally confirmed, I recommend you see a knowledgeable provider for diagnosis.
At this point, my advice is to stop docosanol (which you may have already done). Things should heal up promptly, regardless of the cause. If that doesn't happen, see a doctor or clinic for professional evaluation.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
