Hello, currently I have a herpes type 2 on my chin and I also have a genital crisis (at the same time)
33-year-old woman
In the summer, I sometimes get an outbreak on my thigh. So I am left with PLENTY of places at once where the herpes seems to have "migrated". I was told that the place where I was initially infected would stay the same, but I am down to 4-5 different areas, including my chin. I take Valtrex, 500mg during the attacks. I don't have the money to take this medication on a regular basis. And I think my virus has "evolved" and even when I was reserving my valtrexes for when I had attacks, it was less and less effective. I'm afraid that if I took them continuously, my body would get more used to them and no treatment would help me anymore. Do you have any other creams, medications, or dressings that you recommend so that the affected area doesn't spread further? I'm a student, I don't have insurance and I only have a sun card. For the first time in my life, I have a herpes patch on my chin and my spirits are not high. I feel desperate to find a solution, because not only did I never get over the initial mourning of my condition, the fact that it is visible makes me infinitely sad. I've had a blister crop before, it's definitely type 2. Why is it changing places? I would like to find a solution to help me live better with herpes, because I find it a long time, a life with this eternal boo-boo. Thank you ....
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Sarah-Yan Chagnon · 4 years ago
Hello,
If all of your sores are really due to herpes, there are 2 possibilities that can cause you to have it in multiple places either:
- Having been infected in multiple places: A person with herpes can transmit it even if there is no visible lesion. For example, during close skin-to-skin contact, especially during sex, herpes can be transmitted to many places in the mouth, genitals and even around. It is also possible to have caught herpes type 2 in one place and type 1 in another place.
- Having self-contaminated: It is often the case that a person contaminates himself or herself by touching the lesion and touching healthy skin that will then be contaminated. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly after touching your lesions. Also, if you put products on the lesions (moisturizing balm, make-up) with your fingers, you must not put your hands back into the product without washing your hands. Otherwise, all the product is contaminated.
Unfortunately, I don't have a cream treatment to suggest that is really effective. There is another antiviral tablet called Famvir, but it is no better than Valtrex. Valtrex remains one of the most effective treatments against herpes and there is no tolerance to its effect or evolution of the virus. Therefore, if your attacks bother you a lot and you have the financial means, continuous treatment (prophylaxis) is an interesting option, because it allows you to reduce the number of attacks. In fact, by "tapping" on the virus every day, it allows for better control. You can ask your pharmacist or your doctor.
It is also important to know that herpes attacks are closely related to our immune system. In fact, if your immune system is weak due to, for example, fatigue, stress or anxiety, the virus takes advantage of this to come out again. This also happens in case of infections (e.g.: colds) or if the skin is irritated. Thus, I encourage you, as a preventive measure, to control these elements as much as possible.
Sarah-Yan Chagnon · 4 years ago
It is my pleasure,
Sarah-Yan Chagnon, pharmacist
33-year-old woman · 4 years ago
Thank you first of all for your very detailed response! It is very much appreciated. I've been living with this unwanted roommate for a few years, my first genital attack looked like what you would find when you google "herpes" ( which is never a very good idea after all, haha). Then I had my outbreaks in the same place, and then in other genital areas. About 3 summers ago I had my first attack on my thigh and my family doctor thought I had shingles. In the end, it was always herpes type 2 confirmed with a swab. I had never had an attack on my chin before, let alone at the same time as the other one: I'm really careful about washing my hands and I purl often, maybe it wasn't enough, you never know.
What puzzles me when I read about the literature and herpes is that I've never found any information like someone could be affected on different parts of their own body. The explanation you took the time to tell me makes sense to me and it would be interesting if other people like me could get the info. If you don't mind, I could share it on the ITS rencontre site. I am a member and on the forum we have a little space to cause and exchange on our dx.
Also, you should know that I have probably the ugliest immune system on the planet. I'm 28, I've had gout in my toe before, I go into anaphylactic shock without being able to target the exact allergen.... short. My immune system is really ugly, which must not help my attacks indeed. I sincerely thank you for taking the time to answer me, I haven't dared to leave my house since last Friday and it did me good to read you. Thank you so much!
Sarah-Yan Chagnon · 4 years ago
Hello,
I'm glad I could help a little.
I have no problem with you sharing the information. After all, the more people who are well informed, the less the virus will spread.
It is true that there is not much talk on mainstream sites about attacks outside of the mouth and genitals, as that is less common. However, if one digs deeper into the literature, it is mentioned that herpes can affect any part of the body, i.e. extra-genital lesions. The most feared is the involvement of the eyes.
To support my statements, here are 2 documents written by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) and the Ministry of Health (MSSS):
- https://www.inspq.qc.ca/sites/default/files/documents/itss/fiche-clinique-herpes-genital.pdf
- https://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/fichiers/guide-garderie/chap7-herpes-simplex.pdf
In the first document, pay attention to the ''complications'' section which talks about the involvement on the whole body.
In the second document, it is mentioned in the ''Definition'' section that ''the virus survives 2 hours on skin, 3 hours on clothing, and 4 hours on non-porous surfaces.''
In the ''Modes of Transmission'' section, it is mentioned the types of transmission (direct, indirect, self-inoculation) and this often happens when there are no visible lesions.
Sarah-Yan Chagnon · 4 years ago
There's a reason why more than half of adults are thought to carry the herpes virus given how easily it can be transmitted without people noticing.
Especially for type 1, with the holidays coming up, it's high transmission season if you consider all the people you kiss!
33-year-old woman · 4 years ago
Oh great I will read both of these sources of information carefully, thank you! Indeed you have to be careful for the holiday season. On my end I found a clear patch called Cosrx, clear fit master patch. I don't know how much it is recommended to cover the area completely, but for the holidays or just to make it less visible during the day... but I also know that it is recommended to let the infected area "breathe". I'm really looking forward to reading your two sites! I noticed that my boo-boo was taking on the shape of the bandage that I put on at the first blisters. I tried once to make a heart-shaped bandage and my boo-boo was heart-shaped .... it's really strange. Thank you for your more than complete answers. I'm thinking of consulting someone in sexology who is qualified to deal with grief over an STI infection that has a significant impact on life or self-esteem. If someone asks you if love is still possible, maybe you can tell them that the ITS rencontre site exists? Sometimes it feels good to feel less alone.
What is your professional opinion on this, by the way? Should someone with herpes type 1 or type 2 "just" meet someone with the same dx? Legally, should we inform our partner? I have always done so, so that the partner can choose to continue or not, even if it hurts a lot to be rejected. Thanks again I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time!
Sarah-Yan Chagnon · 4 years ago
I take good note of your site thank you!
Legally, there is no law requiring a person with herpes to declare it to their partner unlike, for example, AIDS/HIV. However, in my opinion, it is more for a reason of respect and honesty towards the other person that one should do so.
A person with herpes doesn't have to limit themselves to meeting someone with the same problem. When we have so-called discordant couples (1 person has herpes and 1 person does not), we obviously encourage protection with condoms at all times to decrease the risk of getting it. Also, prophylaxis with Valacyclovir (valtrex) in the infected person greatly reduces their risk of transmitting it to their partner.
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