Herpetic whitlow

[Lship]

Hi,

I recently went to have a pedicure and 5 days later I started having blisters pop up all over my toes. They started off clear looking and kind of hard. They are now turning red in the middle and some are drying up. I am going on the 13th day with these. I have been to the doctor and he diagnosed the blisters as herpes. What is the treatment for herpetic whitlow and can this make you feel sick?

[Terri Warren]

And how was the diagnosis of herpes made? Swab test, antibody test? That seems quite unusual to get herpes from a pedicure. If no swab testing was done, I would STRONGLY encourage you to go today and get any that still have fluid in them swab testing, preferably using a swab test called PCR.

The treatment is antiviral therapy like acyclovir, but a firm, laboratory diagnosis should be made before beginning this medicine. When you say make you feel sick, like what kind of sick?

Terri

[Lship]

No, the doctor just looked at it and said it was herpes. He said because of the clustering and fluid filled blisters. I have a history of cold sores, but I haven’t had one for quite some time. Also, I haven’t been stressed any more than normal. I started getting body aches and fatigue. I have a picture if that might help.

[Terri Warren]

It’s so hard to say anything from this picture because they are healing over, but you need a swab test or antibody test for a diagnosis. Having someone look at lesions and call them herpes is quite iffy, honestly. If you have a history of cold sores and this is herpes, then it is most likely HSV 2, the genital variety. This can be manifested on the feet, but not usually. My suggestion is to get a baseline IgG HSV 2 antibody test and see what comes up. If it is negative, repeat it in 4 months from your last sexual exposure from anyone with whom you have had sex without a lab test demonstrating that they are negative for HSV 2. When was your last sexual contact? Also you should get the baseline NOW in case this is herpes and you want to pursue any legal action against the nail salon. If your antibody test is negative now (meaning that, as of four months ago, you didn’t have HSV 2) and test positive in 4 months or less, with no sex with a person with herpes, then it is likely that you acquired this at the nail salon, and I would be very surprised about that. If you are going to get a baseline test, you need to do it now, before antibody has a chance to be made, if it is going to be made, so you can document your negative status. Does that make sense?

Terri

Terri

[Lship]

Hi Terri,

Thank you for that information. I have a doctors appointment with a different doctor tomorrow. I still have blisters popping up on different toes. I have been with my husband for the last 12 years and he does not have any type of herpes. I know he would definitely test negative. Thank you so much for your help!

[Lship]

Terri,

Does this mean I am at risk for genital herpes if it does test positive for the HSV2? I am really concerned about that. Like I said, I’ve only ever had cold sores and they come when I’ve been stressed, out in the sun for too long, etc.

[Terri Warren]

If you are still getting new blisters, get a PCR swab test done from the new ones right away at your appointment! If it is HSV 2, then yes, you could also have genital herpes because the innervation of the foot is also the innervation of the genital area. It is usually the back of the foot, but I have seen HSV 2 on other parts of the foot. Having said that, I seriously doubt that is what is going on here. If your husband has never had another partner than you, then I would think you are correct about him having no risk of herpes, yes.

If you would like to ask more questions, please feel free to renew your subscription.

Terri

• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by Terri Warren.

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