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Oh, sweet sweet embarrassment.....
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
So I think I have herpes on my hand.
No idea where it could have come from; I got an outbreak the first time about two years ago. It has happened four times since then, always at times when I'm at my most run-down and stressed. Start to feel a tingly sensation, followed by a horrible itch, and then a big blister comes up. The blister's mainly white, but I can see little clear bubbles in it; thought it was a bug that had laid eggs under my skin when I first saw it - yummy! The blister's very very sore to the touch and the skin around it is red, hot and slightly swollen.
A friend thought it could be shingles, so I went to the doctor who popped it with a pin, wiped the liquid off my hand, then said he didn't have a clue what it was and prescribed me antibiotics. Idiot.
Then when I described it to my GUM doctor as a passing comment (at a point where I didn't have it to show him) he said it was probably herpes.
I just don't know! Bit reluctant to go to the doctor as he was so monumentally useless last time, but I'd really like to have a definite diagnosis.... and hopefully treatment, if possible?
Does ANYBODY know what I've got on my hand?!!
No idea where it could have come from; I got an outbreak the first time about two years ago. It has happened four times since then, always at times when I'm at my most run-down and stressed. Start to feel a tingly sensation, followed by a horrible itch, and then a big blister comes up. The blister's mainly white, but I can see little clear bubbles in it; thought it was a bug that had laid eggs under my skin when I first saw it - yummy! The blister's very very sore to the touch and the skin around it is red, hot and slightly swollen.
A friend thought it could be shingles, so I went to the doctor who popped it with a pin, wiped the liquid off my hand, then said he didn't have a clue what it was and prescribed me antibiotics. Idiot.
Then when I described it to my GUM doctor as a passing comment (at a point where I didn't have it to show him) he said it was probably herpes.
I just don't know! Bit reluctant to go to the doctor as he was so monumentally useless last time, but I'd really like to have a definite diagnosis.... and hopefully treatment, if possible?
Does ANYBODY know what I've got on my hand?!!
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Comments
Could you go and see anoher doctor? Only way u you'll get a diagnosis and treatment I'm afraid.
If it is a herpes infection, then in the meantime do all the usual things to prevent the virus spreading i.e. don't touch your eyes/mouth/genitals with said hand, don't share towels, avoid putting contacts in if you're a lens wearer.
Fortunately as it's on your hand, you should be able to treat it with over the counter stuff, though if it's bad you can get a 5 day 5-a-day course of tablets.
Might be an idea to go to your GUM clinic as they seem to be more sypathetic and knowledgable than your GP to get a proper diagnosis, but you need to go when it's flared up, not when it's healed so they can test the scab/fluid for hepres.
Yes, it's herpes, no, there's not much I can do about it except try not to get stressed (I work in the domestic violence field - not much chance of that!)
She's given me the 5-day 5 times a day pills to take on the next flare-up, so for now it's just a case of waiting.
But now you've really freaked me out; my left eye has been turning red over the past couple of days and getting gunky - I never thought I'd say this but I hope it's conjunctivitis!