Question 1

how long does it take for herpes whitlow symptoms to show up?

Accepted Answer

Herpetic whitlow : Usually a few days to a week after exposure will a herpes infection manifest. If exposure to infected genital tract secretions or oral secretions took place through a break in the skin of a finger, the disease of herpetic whitlow can develop. Hopefully that isn't what happened with u-- but there is treatment if this develops. Take care.

Question 2

i had exposure for herpes whitlow three weeks ago and nothing showed up. how long should i wait till i know i don't have it?

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex: The incubation period is the time from exposure to the appearance of symptoms and averages 2-12 days.  If you are asymptomatic at 21 days the overwhelming chances are that you will remain that way. Good luck.

Question 3

difference between herpes whitlow and eczema?

Accepted Answer

Whitlow hurts: Herpes on finger is painful, localized, heals in 1 or 2 weeks. Eczema is itchy, chronic, wide areas.

Question 4

if you suffer from cold sores already, can you also suffer with herpes whitlow?

Accepted Answer

Cold sores: Yes you can have several conditions at the same time.
Important to note possible triggers for your sores.
Take yogurt and probiotics
Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine has helped some, as has Vitamin B12.  Ask your doctor about dosage. 
Milk of magnesia helps the pain of the sores.

Question 5

make up pallete touched an old cold sore patch from a year ago that was faced down. i used the pallete and touched my phone. can i get herpes whitlow?

Accepted Answer

Herpes: Herpes is a virus and requires living tissue to live. An old cold sore pad from a year ago will not have any live virus on it. Also, herpes is generally spread when it is active with erupted lesions. There is no cause for alarm in this case you have described.

Question 6

does the first herpes whitlow outbreak always appears within the first few weeks of touching a sore or can it appear later on? if it does not appear for a month have you lucked out?

Accepted Answer

Whitlow unlikely: Herpes whitlow is uncommon: almost everyone with herpes "lucks out", i.e. never has whitlow. When it occurs, it is almost always along with an iniital herpes infection -- usually oral, rarely genital. Once the initial infection has healed, whitlow is extremely unlikely at any time after that. If you had a recrrent herpes sore (not initial infection), you couldn't infect your finger if you tried.

Question 7

how long does herpes whitlow last? had a blister on my finger for 3 weeks now. it doesn't hurt it feels funny. could this not be whitlow? contagious?

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex: This is a little long for the duration of a herpetic whitlow, and these are more often than not quite painful and almost invariably tender. The finger is often red and swollen.  Sound as if you should have this examined and diagnosed professionally.  Good luck.

Question 8

if someone has herpes on their hand.  herpes whitlow. and shakes your hand. no visible cuts on your hand. but are dry. odds contracting herpes that w?

Accepted Answer

Almost zero chance: Unless the whitlow is open and weeping, there is little if any infection risk. I have never heard of herpes being transmitted by shaking hands. However, it is important that people with herpes whitlow not allow the infected finger come in contact with other persons' eyes, mouth, or genital area, e.g. during sex or foreplay.

Question 9

hi do you know anything about herpes whitlow... i smoked a bong with friend.  used my hand to cover mouthpiece.  hve this single dot on my hand, im oc?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: that a surface can retain infectious herpes virus!

Not to worry!

Dr Z

Question 10

does herpes whitlow shed when there is no blisters? i'm scared to shake people hand because i might have it and don't want to spread it

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex: This virus will not infect other people by transmission through unbroken skin.  If there is an ulcer on the finger then the virus can shed and be infective to others.  The virus can be transmitted from an ulcer or infection on mucous membranes through apparently unbroken skin to the person being infected, but we do not know whether the skin did not have some micro breaks in the integument.

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Doctor answers about:

Herpes whitlow

A member asked:

How long does it take for herpes whitlow symptoms to show up?

A member asked:

I had exposure for herpes whitlow three weeks ago and nothing showed up. how long should i wait till i know i don't have it?

A member asked:

Difference between herpes whitlow and eczema?

A member asked:

If you suffer from cold sores already, can you also suffer with herpes whitlow?

A member asked:

Make up pallete touched an old cold sore patch from a year ago that was faced down. i used the pallete and touched my phone. can i get herpes whitlow?

A member asked:

Does the first herpes whitlow outbreak always appears within the first few weeks of touching a sore or can it appear later on? if it does not appear for a month have you lucked out?

A member asked:

How long does herpes whitlow last? had a blister on my finger for 3 weeks now. it doesn't hurt it feels funny. could this not be whitlow? contagious?

A member asked:

If someone has herpes on their hand. herpes whitlow. and shakes your hand. no visible cuts on your hand. but are dry. odds contracting herpes that w?

A member asked:

Hi do you know anything about herpes whitlow... i smoked a bong with friend. used my hand to cover mouthpiece. hve this single dot on my hand, im oc?

A member asked:

Does herpes whitlow shed when there is no blisters? i'm scared to shake people hand because i might have it and don't want to spread it

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