I have Herpetic Whitlow
I have had Herpetic Whitlow on my left thumb for 12 years. I contracted it back in 1996 and I have no idea how. I have been struggling living with this debilitating disease and I find it really hard to care for my two children. I constantly wear latex gloves when bathing or changing them and am still in fear of giving this to them. From what I understand, in-tact skin doesn’t shed, so as long as I am not currently having an outbreak, I am not contagious. But I struggle with this aspect and even when I am not experiencing an outbreak, I still wear the gloves.
When I first got this, I was breaking out on an average of every other month, it was awful. But then my doc put me on Famvir, 500 mg, twice daily. Over the years, my OBs have become less frequent. I believe this is due to the Famvir and the virus getting weaker over time. I broke out a week before my first daughter was born, which sucked and then two years went by and I hadn’t broken out at all until I was pregnant with my second child. Then, I broke out at 7 months pregnant and again a week before the birth of my daughter. Luckily, I have a very caring and understanding husband who was willing to do all of the bathing and changing until my outbreaks healed.
This may sound completely ignorant, but I honestly feel that if I had Herpes genitally or orally, I wouldn’t struggle with this as much. For the simple fact that I would still be able to change diapers, bathe my children and interact freely with them without concern. Having this on my hand is very hard to deal with when having children. - M
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Is Herpes Whitlow always painful? How pain is painful? Is it come with a blister underneath with a red base?
My blister is not painful and not itchy and it does not come with a red base.
Can anyone answer this question?
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I would imagine that Herpes Whitlow when active is not a very comfortable scenario.
Everyone’s symptoms will vary from person to person along with pain, intensity, size of outbreak, etc.
If you are having something going on and are trying to figure out what it is, see your doctor.
A healthcare professional will be OR should be able to help you figure out what is going on with your symptoms.
Good Luck!!
M,
I am in tears right now. I am touched to know that there is another “Momma” out there that is wearing gloves at home to change diapers and give baths.
My son had just turned two (July 2008) when I finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with herpetic whitlow (I have had the blisters very few and far between for about three years now).
The past month and a half, however, have been very emotional for me. I’ve had more outbreaks than I have ever had and it is extremely uncomfortable. My middle finger has been so swollen I cannot even close it all the way. My whole arm hurts and I have really had a hard time finding quality information about this particular strain.
The worst part of it all is that I have been so afraid of passing it to my son. I am a single mother; and, although my parents have been a tremendous help, I still do the majority of diaper changes and baths. My son does not understand why “Momma” is now wearing a glove. I am conscious of it always, it’s hard not to! I have been so paranoid about “shedding” when I wash my hands (i’ve been through tons of paper towels and band-aids), in the kitchen preparing his meals, or even simply just picking up toys and other household objects.
I am thankful, though, that I don’t have to worry about giving him kisses. I can hug him with my other arm and kiss his head whenever i want; and that issuch a blessing.
M, I am so glad that you posted your story. I know that I am not alone in my struggle and that means so much to me.
-A
Hi A,
Have you spoken with your doctor about the methods you are using when it comes to changing your son’s diaper and giving him baths?
What are you taking to treat your outbreaks? Has your doctor made a recommendation about what you might be able to do if you are getting frequent outbreaks?
- Angela
I am not a mother but believe me I understand what you are going through. I have a herpetic whitlow on my right middle finger and it is not just an unpainful red base. Mine has erupted only a few times over the last 10 years and has also lessoned in frequency - thank God - as mine has actually put me in the hospital twice. My finger turns an angry purple, swells to twice its normal size and the skin breaks open to reveal tiny pustules that look as though they are boiling to the surface. This is usually accompanied by a red line that grows from my middle finger to the top of my hand, up my arm and eventually across my chest towards my heart! It is extremely painful, frightening and debilitating. In fact, as weird as it sounds, from your description, I would trade cases of this disease with you in a moment - except that you have children to care for and i am happy for you that yours does not become as violently painful as mine does. The first time this put me in the hospital the CDC got involved as they thought I had a strain of some super viral infection. One of the CDC Doc’s believed I may have caught this from a Eastern Brown Pelican as I was involved for a few years in Pelican rescue and apparently, they are affected by and carry this awful disease! I was treated with 1000MG Valtrex twice per days plus a strong antibiotic cefadroxil. after the last outbreak, I took it upon myself to ask the doctor for the 500mg valtrex and started taking one every day as I read that if I did so for a year then my whitlow just may never return. Well after a year on valtrex I did not stop taking it out of fear and the painful memory of the last occurrence. Instead I began cutting the valtrex in half and taking 1/2 or 250MG per day which seemed to have worked. Approximately 60 days ago I had my valtrex refilled but I am now with a new health insurance company and it cost me $50 to refill, so I thought this was a great time to cease taking the medicine and see if my whitlow is gone for good! No such luck! I awoke in the middle of the night last night with a familar pain in my right middle finger! In some ways I feel I must have been a real jerk in my last life to deserve this as it does feel like some sort of punishment is being dealt - although that is probably ridiculous. Needless to say, I’m going back to the valtrex but I also want to ask my doc about this Famvir you are taking. I wish you luck in dealing with this terrible disease and ask that you count your blessings as it could be worse, much worse…
If cost is an issue why not have your doctor switch to acyclovir?
I’m sorry to hear that your herpes whitlow is so severe. I hope it will go away and not come back for a long time.
So normally herpetic whitlow is very painful other than a blister?
I have seen a few doctors, general practitioner, skin specialists, internal medicine doctor. All are told that the blister was not herpetic whitlow. Over in this country, they can’t do a culture test over the blister. The doctors are merely using eyesight to look at the blister to diagnose.
Quite worried.