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Herpes & Finger Symptoms

Herpes simplex viral infections can lead to blisters on the fingers. This is a condition called herpes whitlow, and it is one way in which a person with herpes can self-infect other parts of her own body.

  1. Symptoms

    • Herpes whitlow is the appearance of a herpes blister on the fingers or hands, according to Microbiology and Immunology Online. Before a blister occurs, a burning or itching sensation is felt in the area that will be affected; this is called prodrome.

    Transmission

    • Touching fluid from a blister, either caused by HSV-1 (cold sores) or HSV-2 (genital herpes) can lead to herpes whitlow.

    Risk Group

    • Health care workers appear to be at increased risk of developing herpes whitlow through contact with patients' herpetic blisters.

    Treatment

    • Herpetic blisters clear up on their own without treatment, but can be treated with antiviral drugs like acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir.

    Complications

    • A person with herpes whitlow can infect other parts of his own body. According to the Mayo Clinic, one common occurrence is infection of the eye, which can lead to blindness.

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