Can You Get Herpes On Your Arm

Can You Get Herpes On Your Arm

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Communities > Dermatology > Herpes on the arm??

Is it possible to get Herpes on the arm? Here's the deal...
I have this spot on my arm just below my elbow. It gets these pimple like spots (about 5-7) in a small area. When they 1st appear, they itch, but then they become painful. The whole area combined is about the size of a quarter.
The first time I got this was about a year ago. I never went to the doctor & after a week or so it went away. I had brushed the area on a wall and broke open the "pimples". They dried up and the area became like a scab. I didn't think about it much until the same thing came back this past January in the same exact spot!
Again, the "pimples" broke open when they got bumped.By the time I could get in to see my Dr, it was gone. The scab formed and it went away.
Now the same thing is happening again in the same spot!
Someone told me that it could be herpes. However, I've never been exposed to herpes to my knowledge & I don't get cold sores or any areas in my genital region.
If this is herpes, is it a sexually transmitted disease? Like, could I have gotten this from my husband, even through just skin contact? If not, how in the heck did I get something like this??
I looked at the pictures of herpes on the skin & it *does* look similar.
I have read that a type of herpes is similar to chicken pox & shingles. I've also never had chicken pox or the vaccine.
If it is herpes, how is this treated?
Thanks! :)

Can cold sores not go through all the stages. Cause I have small bumps that appear on my top lip and itch sometimes but they never hurt o...

My husband had a lump appear near his elbow that was sore. We thought it might be some sort of bug bite. (We live in Thailand, so who kno...

A couple of days ago I thought a mosquito bit me on a few parts of my body while sleeping but I noticed more red spots and the itch a lot...

Hi and thanks for your help.
Before starting I would like to say that english isn't my first language, so I would like to apologize for ...

Bhupinder Kaur, MD
May 08, 2010

Hello,
From the symptoms the possibility of HSV1 ( herpes1 ) cannot be ignored. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak.

Herpes simplex is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding.

The only way of ruling it out is by getting yourself tested for herpes. Laboratory tests include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get it ruled out. The other possibility is of impetigo.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

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Hi, i know these posts are old but maybe someone can help. I'm a 29 year old female n recently had an outbreak of herpes zoster (4weeks) It's still itchy n the marks are still there but 2 says back I noticed one pimple on my left elbow which was very itchy. It hurt a bit too but then gradually the pimples spread and covered quite a bit of area but mostly only on the elbow. The next day, I noticed there were only a few left. But now again they are back. I was taking anti viral (viravir) for 2weeks. If you can help, I eould be obliged. My dermatologist is not in town n I can't go.
Please help.

Bhupinder Kaur, MD
May 08, 2010

Hello,
Unfortunately there is no permanent cure for herpes and the herpetic virus can recur again and agin because the virus is lodged in the nerves. Herpes simplex is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

Thanks for your response. I actually went to my PCP today. She said that more than likely it is Herpes. She cultured the fluid from one of the pustules & we're waiting on the results. In the mean time, she put me on valtrex 500mg 2x a day for 3 days. She gave me some refills to take if it comes back.
Does this mean that I will always have this or will it ever go away completely?
I'm keeping it covered with a bandage since she told me that it was contagious. I'm not sure how I would have gotten this in the 1st place since the first time I ever had the skin problem, I didn't have a wound or scratch anywhere.
Thanks again,

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Can cold sores not go through all the stages. Cause I have small bumps that appear on my top lip and itch sometimes but they never hurt o...

My husband had a lump appear near his elbow that was sore. We thought it might be some sort of bug bite. (We live in Thailand, so who kno...

A couple of days ago I thought a mosquito bit me on a few parts of my body while sleeping but I noticed more red spots and the itch a lot...

Hi and thanks for your help.
Before starting I would like to say that english isn't my first language, so I would like to apologize for ...

John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO Jun 08

John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO 12/20

John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO 04/18

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How to Identify a Herpes Rash on Your Body

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Herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types known as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2).

Usually, oral herpes ( cold sores ) is caused by HSV-1 and genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. But it is possible for HSV-1 to cause genital herpes and HSV-2 to cause cold sores.

There is really no way to tell by appearance alone whether an outbreak is caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2. At the same time, herpes sores may not be immediately recognized when they first appear. Or, they may be mistaken for other infections like canker sores or shingles.

This article describes the symptoms of herpes and how and where this common viral infection causes outbreaks. It also explains how herpes is treated and lists the various conditions that are similar in appearance to oral or genital herpes.

Painful blisters are the classic sign of a herpes infection. The rash may be preceded by itching, numbness, or tingling or burning sensations several days beforehand.

A classic herpes outbreak usually involves one or more blisters that start as small, red bumps. They then rapidly develop into fluid-filled blisters that sometimes merge into a larger blister.

Herpes blisters commonly erupt, leaving a painful ulcer with raised edges. The sores can ooze and crust over. Severe outbreaks can cause scarring.

Oral and genital herpes usually develop in the following ways:

But, not every case of oral herpes involves HSV-1, and not every case of genital herpes involves HSV-2. This is because the virus is highly transmissible.

For example, if you touch a genital herpes sore and then the mouth, you can get oral herpes. If you have an oral herpes sore and perform oral sex on someone, that person can get genital herpes.

This is why it is important to avoid sexual contact during a herpes outbreak. If you have a cold sore, avoid performing oral sex on a partner or touching the sore. If you touch a sore, wash your hands immediately with soap and water.

Oral herpes is usually caused by HSV-1. Genital herpes is usually caused by HSV-2. But oral herpes can be passed to the genitals and genital herpes can be passed to the mouth due to oral sex or hand-to-skin contact with an open sore.

In addition to a rash, oral herpes may be accompanied by: 1

In addition to a rash, genital herpes can cause: 3

When you get herpes, the virus will always live in your body and does not go away.

Different things can trigger an outbreak including emotional stress, an acute illness, fever, trauma, surgery, sun exposure, and menstrual periods. Some outbreaks have no known cause.

Fatigue, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes are among the symptoms that can accompany a herpes outbreak. With genital herpes, there may also be pain with urination or difficulty urinating.

There is no cure for herpes, but there are antiviral drugs that may lessen the duration or severity of an outbreak. Antiviral drugs are those used to treat viral infections. As a rule, antiviral treatment is most effective when it is started at the first signs of an outbreak.

The treatment can vary by the location of the sores and other factors: 4

You can help soothe a genital herpes outbreak by sitting in a warm bath. A cold compress placed against the rash for 10 to 15 minutes several times daily may also help.

Avoid eating spicy or acidic foods when you have a cold sore. You can also use over-the-counter (OTC) topical anesthetics like lidocaine to numb the sore; just be sure to wash your hands immediately after.

OTC pain killers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) can also help relieve pain for both oral and genital herpes.

The duration and severity of a herpes outbreak can be reduced with antiviral drugs. Antivirals are most effective when started at the first signs of an outbreak. Other treatments like cold compresses and over-the-counter pain killers can help relieve pain.

Not every rash that looks like herpes is herpes. There are other infections that cause painful blistering (or blister-like) rash. These include:

Other infections can mimic herpes, including aphthous stomatitis (canker sores), derma
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Can You Get Herpes On Your Arm

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