Genital herpes on my thigh?

[Pinkgirl1986]

Hey
I was diagnosed with genital herpes way over a year ago. Since the first outbreak I have had little occasions where I have thought I may be having an outbreak but never been too sure. I just get a little 'nick' feeling around my anus/genital region.

Over the last couple of days, just under my buttock, on the thigh (at the back of my leg) I've felt a 'nick' feeling. As if I've caught my leg with the razor. Anyway, my whole thigh on the right side has felt sensitive and sore and this particular area at the back started to itch and feel a bit like a lump so I assumed I had a spot. Anyway it's now swollen and there is a cluster of blisters. I am pretty sure this is a herpes outbreak. However I'm really concerned why it is in this area? This has freaked me out because if I was to be on holiday in a bikini this would be completely visible and it's really brought back the feelings of worry, shame and embarrassment. Does anybody else with HSV2 experience an outbreak in the thigh region? I had just started to get my head around the fact I have this and feeling a bit better about the whole situation considering I've not had bad symptoms since the primary outbreak. Now I'm feeling low and worrying about this being a new area it comes up regularly. It's very painful. Purely because of constant movement and the area it is in.

Feel so alone in this.

Please help x

Is it just in one place? Could it be shingles?

@HollowTalk hey I sent a pic to my gp as she suspected shingles but after seeing the pic she reckons it is linked to genital herpes. I also spoke to the herpes charity and she said it sounds like herpes virus too. I've had chicken pox before and don't believe I'm at risk of shingles? I don't know it's so confusing.

I've had chicken pox as a child but have had shingles too. It's the same thing though, isn't it? Absolutely horrible thing for you to have. Is there anything the doctor can prescribe for you?

Have you tried taking lysine? It can help lessen outbreaks. You can buy it at holland and barrett? Try not to worry - it is more common than you think.

If it makes you feel any better, if I saw you in a bikini and even noticed a cluster of something I would never connect it to herpes, no need for any embarrassment or shame so please don't worry on that front

@EmmaC78 yeah hun I know and I'd managed to just get that in my head but it is the fact it's on my thigh and would be visible at my local swimming centre etc so back on a downer. I'll look at Holland and barrat I appreciate your advice. However just nervous that this is now appearing in other places than the genitals 😭 it's making me worry i am going to have consistently bad outbreaks.

@HollowTalk where was your shingles located? And how did it feel? I'll consider a second opinion if possible from another medic. Thank you.

@lanbro thank you x

My friend has it on her legs occasionally. Can you get a swim dress or shorts? I know you'd rather not have it at all but it might help to know you can hide it.

@Northernsoullover ah does she 😞 it's bloody horrible. I thought I was getting away with mild symptoms of it until now. Feel really down. Think I'm just going to go full birkini 😂 honestly it makes you feel shit enough but to then have it in a visible area just is awful

Take Lysine
Get some Lysine ointment to use as soon as you feel an outbreak may be starting
Look at the lists of foods that are Herpes supporting and the opposite ones, and adjust your diet if you can.

The outbreaks will get fewer and further between, and less severe.

@YinMnBlue thank you - to date I've not had bad symptoms at all. So this is either the first since my initial outbreak or I'm just suffering a bad one this time and because it's on my leg I didn't even put it down to herpes until today 😞

Hello!

Your GP should willingly prescribe aciclovir.

Take it as soon as you feel an outbreak may be coming and it'll prevent it.

Pink could it be stress related? Its a pretty stressful time! It may be that when (!) a degree of normality is reached it might settle down. My friend gets it if she is tired and run down.

@Northernsoullover I've never noticed a pattern on previous symptoms before like if it's stress related or diet related etc. Like it's just something that's happened about four times and I've literally said 'this is not like I expected' it's so mild! No wonder people don't know they have it. But since this whole lockdown, I'm getting less sleep and my daughter is unsettled so she's got me up through the night too and generally run down plus I'm on my period so yeah maybe that's why it's come and is very painful this time and in a strange location. Normally I get it underneath my vagina, but above the buttock hole and it's Barely noticeable. Honestly today with this massive cluster of blisters on my thigh, the pain is up there with the first outbreak I had. I can honestly say since that first outbreak the recurrences haven't been nowhere near as painful! Thank you for you help. I'm gonna try work on getting a better sleeping habit back. I was wondering if it was stress related but then they say all the outbreaks are so god knows. It's so unpredictable herpes. Maybe herpes heard about corona and wanted to remind me who was boss so just came back with vengeance for me😂 I've gotta make light of the situation somehow! Stay safe anyway during this crazy time x

@babynameneeded I do have some aciclovir although heard it's pretty pointless to take during the outbreak but useful as the outbreak is coming but because I'm not used to having blisters on my thigh and used to them being on the genitals and so mild I've never felt the need to take aciclovir really, I didn't put my current symptoms on the thigh down to herpes otherwise I'd have probably taken the aciclovir at the first noticeable symptom. At least I can be more aware for next time if it starts again in the same location. I just really hope it doesn't 😞 it's bad enough having it on the genitals but on the thigh! That's just honestly the worst feeling ever regarding having it x

If you start taking it during the outbreak, it'll massively decrease the length of your outbreak. It should clear up within 48 hours