Herpatic whitlow, neck pain

[Cincur63]

I’m 54 and have had herpatic whitlow since age 20. Initially misdiagnosed for years. A dermatologist finally took one look said I know put gloves on and did a culture. I believe she said it was HSV2. I am a nurse, but wasn’t when I started. I’ve had many outbreaks over the years. I took valtrex 500 most times, once a day and it usually helped keep them at bay. I do not have genital herpes to my knowledge. I now gound out I have an IgA deficiency. I’ve had psoriatic arthritis also. I stopped valtex as I started humira and was concerned about my liver. I also just had thyroid cancer and total thyroidectomy in the fall. I just had the worst outbreak ever. My neck was so painful, I had headaches. I’d feel like my spine got hot then my body would get hot and then sweaty. Similar to a hot flash. I’ve read it can be in your spine. How do I go about finding out more about my whitlow and why it’s getting worse. I will now take valtex daily. I’m just concerned about my cervical spine. I know the nerve pain and this was different. My index finger and palm had the blisters. The pain went to armpit. My mcervical neck glands were very large. I almost wanted to wear a soft collar. I did see immunologist , he put me on antibiotics cause throat was red and fluid behind ear. But i was laid up for at least a week. My index finger is kinda numb now. Should i go to infectious disease doc? Should i wait for next outbreak?

[Terri Warren]

I honestly don’t think you need to be concerned about your spine. Herpes is rarely found in the central nervous system. And I’m confused about why herpes in the hand would cause cervical nodes to enlarge? Not exactly the right nerve group to cause that. You may want to check those records to be certain it was HSV 2. If it is, there is a 95% chance that you have it genitally as well. Perhaps you could go to see an ID doc though I’m not 100% clear about what they might do? I think taking daily Valtrex is a good idea under these circumstances but again, check with your doc to be certain it is OK with Humira.

Terri

[Cincur63]

Well the lymph nodes didn’t concern immunologist as he said my throat was red and I had fluid behind the ear. I am seeing him in two days. The glands have gone down, although not 100%. I have yearly gyno exams and have never had and sores. My spouse never had any issues. Actually years ago before diagnoses they had me popping them open and soaking in burrow solution. I would change my son’s diaper with open sores on my hand. I have eczema and often had open, weeping areas on my hands and they felt that’s how I got it in my hand. I used to clean houses , back then we didn’t use gloves. I also used to get them on my lip. I rarely get them on my lips now. But the hand has been like 6 times in a year. This lat one was the worst, my neck is still sore. Do I have to have blisters for them to test? I currently have no insurance. I am moving out of state also. I will look for a good specialist there. Is there a site where they list doctors who specialize in this. Most of the doctors have never heard of it. I’ve missed a lot of time at work also as it’s like a week each time. Thank you

[Terri Warren]

You have to have blisters for a swab test to be done of the lesions, yes.
You could get an IgG antibody test to look for HSV 1 and 2 if you want to know what you have if you don’t have a lesion.
Terri

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