Tingling across hands after shingles on torso

[Marie]

I have had recurring minor outbreaks on my torso for years, never clear if this is herpes or shingles but definitely herpetic. I also have had what seems to be whitlow on my pinky finger in the past. I do not worry and take medication when needed.

This time, I was traveling in harsh conditions without medication. The outbreak occurred on my torso, I thought I will have to let it run its course. Strangely, one week later a second outbreak appeared nearby the first, this has never happened in this way.

Now another week later, both are healing. I began experiencing deep nerve pain across the palms of both of my hands. I assumed this to be postherpetic neuralgia and paid no attention. This morning, I see the tell-tale under-the-skin bumps and tingling pain across both palms. This is alarming – it seems I am about to have an HSV 2 outbreak across both hands?! Do these symptoms sound like anything particularly abnormal?

[Marie]

Update: Indeed, in identical areas on both palms and in 3 of 10 fingers, clusters of blisters broke out, herpetic looking and feeling. I am now traveling asap back to the US and will seek treatment as I am otherwise a very young, health individual so this indeed frightened me. I wonder if the harsh environment contributed – though I have been in and out of these harsh environments for 10 years.

I am still interested to hear from you if this sounds like anything you have seen or any other insights on my case as I highly doubt the initial instacare doctor is going to have much depth besides prescribing me antivirals.

Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

This is not like anything I have seen before. In my opinion, you need HSV PCR swab tests from both the torso to see if this is really what you believe that it is. I surely could be but you need a definitive diagnosis here. And be certain to ask for typing of the virus if it is positive, it could be either HSV 1 or 2.

Terri

[Author]

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