Does anybody know anything about herpes in nerves?

[csziggy]

For 35 years I've had an infrequent recurrent infection in one hand. It started out at the cuticle of the forefinger, moved down and is now in the joint where the thumb joins the hand.

It will disappear for years, then I get inflammation and itching in an area. Within six hours, small, very sensitive "hot" spots appear and six hours later there are pustules with intensely inflamed bases. If I do not get antibiotics within 24 hours of the first appearance, I get lymphangitis extending to my armpit. Each time, I have had to change antibiotics when the previously prescribed ones no longer work to stop the infection. Last occurrence, we went to Cipro.

The damned thing flared up again Tuesday night and I went to my doctor Wednesday. He's a new doctor and while I visited his office last time I have a flare up, I saw his partner's PA so this is the first time this doctor has treated this infection. When I described the progression, he suggested the possibility that it is Herpetic Whitlow, caused by Herpes Simplex. He took a sample for a viral culture, so we should know by sure next week.

I read up on it a little last night and the symptoms fit, except it is generally only a one time thing. What has almost clinched it in my mind is that shingles is also caused by herpes - and I recently learned that I had shingles as an infant. Since it never really goes away apparently, I guess they are related and can be chronic.

So I am looking for a better source than Google could give me last night - anybody have recommendations or more info?

[elleng]

1. Don't know anything but that shingles is related to chicken pox,

which is likely you had as an infant.

There's an innoculation for it now.

Good luck.

[csziggy]

2. Thanks, but I am not sure if the innoculation would work once you have it

I'll probably have to go back to the doctor tomorrow. It does not look like the Cipro is controlling the opportunistic infections in the hand. I don't know what else we can go to.

Mom never mentioned chicken pox. I did have whooping cough, but I think that is something else.

[mopinko]

3. you need an anti-viral, i think

i get garden variety cold sores. i took valtrex daily for about 6 months, and never had an outbreak. now i take it at the first sign of a tingle, and use denavir ointment, and i can usually shut it down. if i resist the urge to itch and rub, all it will get is a small scab that clears up in a couple of days.
good luck.