Skin colored bumps on fingers, redden, liquid filled. Is it Herpes? Is it connected to OCD?
Patient: I have small 1mm max skin coloured bumps on my fingers, sometimes in clusters not often near the nail. I mention this because my fear is that this could be herpes whitlow and I bite my nails often and the skin around them as a compulsion to reduce stress for my OCD . The bumps do not pop easily and when they do the skin sort of deflates and goes red. The liquid is clear like water. When popped they disappear after a couple of days and stop irritating within a few mins. I never thought you could get herpes on the hand or I would have fought harder not to bite my hands! I do not care about my health but rather the effect I could have on my wife or more specifically and children we decide to have as I know herpes in any form can kill babies! And that you can pass the virus on even when not having an outbreak! Not so bad if it s oral or genital but you use hands for everything! Can I hold hands? Again, engage in foreplay? Hold children? Suck food off my fingers? This is crazy? Why didn t I know about this and why is herpes called an STD when you can get it on your hand from a coldsore and give it to yourself through masterbation! I m really stressed and upset. I am also due to start training to be a mental health nurse soon. If i have herpes whitlow can I still be a nurse? Or will I infect others? This is crazy I can t belive you can get something this contagious on your hands! Doctor: Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.  There are two major varieties of herpes - genital and non-genital, and both are contagious. It is possible to get herpes in the hands (herpetic whitlow). However, it is also possible that the lesions in your hands around the nail could be from the reccurent irritation caused due to excessive biting of your nails and the surrounding areas.   Since, these you seem to be extremely worried whether these lesions could be due to herpes, I would suggest that the best way forward would be to get yourself tested for the same. So, please  consult a dermatologist for a proper physical examination and further investigations.  Wish you all the best.  Regards, Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar Consultant Psychiatrist