HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Yeast Infection Followed By Cold Sore And Lesions On Arm?

default
Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2014
Question: I am looking for a physician who specializes in herpes treatment . My symptoms are very different than the usual...after intercourse with my husband who has HSV 2, I will develop a yeast infection and then within two days a develop a cold sore and lesions on my arm. No oral sex is performed by me and my husband has not had a break out in years. I have discussed this with my GYN, but he can not relate the yeast infection to the cold sores and lesion on my arm. We have been together for 13 years and this recently started 2 years ago after our 2nd child was born. Also, I have never been dx with herpes, which is also confusing to me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen Rodrigues (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Herpes Igg/IgM tests & acyclovir/ketoconazole

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Yes your issue is both a bit tricky & sensitive.
I have always believed in the philosophy that the 'patient' is usually 'right'.
So I do not dispute what you describe.
Yeast infection should be confirmed by doing a simple KOH (potassium hydroxide) scraping test done easily at a local clinic or lab or even at home & established.
It is very possible that your immunity is low (be it on account of physical or mental or the daily stressors we face in life) & this will precipitate & explain both the yeast & herpes outbreaks.
The first thing to do is to do a blood test (Herpes simplex 1& 2 IgG & IgM tests) complete with titres to tell you how much (if any) of the infection is in your blood stream & if it is recent or old. Documentation is important to see how we treat it or how it responds to treatment.
Assuming you are positive (I note you have already taken Valtrex for herpes), I am not a big fan of long term treatment or suppressive treatment as it involves long periods of time & can cause a lot of side effects.
Hence a simple advice is when you feel the outbreak about to erupt (body pain, tingling at the site etc), immediately start a oral course of Acyclovir 400mg 4-5 times daily for 5 days (20-25 tabs) together with local application of 5% acyclovir cream applied on the spot (for herpes lesions) again till lesions quieten. In subsequent attacks you can reduce the tabs to 200mg taken similarly but continue the application of the cream. This will push back the recurrences & in time will quieten down. In my experience as a dermatologist for close to 2 decades, I find this is a practical, safe & feasible approach that gives great results.
I trust I have addressed the herpes issue & given you a clear direction. For further follow-up, prescription etc, you will need to follow up with an ER or a physician @ ground0.
As for the yeast infection, when it erupts, a topical 2% ketoconazole cream may be used (Nizoral is a an international brand) & a 2% ketoconazole soap applied to the sensitive areas during bathing twice/week & left in contact for 5 minutes or so should help sort your issue. I do note you state you do not perform oral sex but I am guessing that your husband does & while I think this is perfectly normal & healthy, it may be the way that the herpes et al is being transmitted & the viral load building up. So please do get him checked for herpes titres also & perhaps consider avoiding this aspect for a couple of months till your issues are sorted.
I trust I have given you clear cut guidelines to take this forward. Good Luck & Godspeed & wish you a fruitful long married life.
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Praveen Rodrigues (22 hours later)
Also, will you look at the picture and tell me what you think of the scarring
doctor
Answered by Dr. Praveen Rodrigues (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Detailed Answer:
This is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
It will take time to resolve..weeks to months.
Try using any cream with Kojic acid in it to decrease pigmentation safely & ensure it is hydroquinone free as the latter can be a double edged sword.
Good Day. Cheers.
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Praveen Rodrigues

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1993

Answered : 1193 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Yeast Infection Followed By Cold Sore And Lesions On Arm?

Brief Answer: Herpes Igg/IgM tests & acyclovir/ketoconazole Detailed Answer: Hi there. Yes your issue is both a bit tricky & sensitive. I have always believed in the philosophy that the 'patient' is usually 'right'. So I do not dispute what you describe. Yeast infection should be confirmed by doing a simple KOH (potassium hydroxide) scraping test done easily at a local clinic or lab or even at home & established. It is very possible that your immunity is low (be it on account of physical or mental or the daily stressors we face in life) & this will precipitate & explain both the yeast & herpes outbreaks. The first thing to do is to do a blood test (Herpes simplex 1& 2 IgG & IgM tests) complete with titres to tell you how much (if any) of the infection is in your blood stream & if it is recent or old. Documentation is important to see how we treat it or how it responds to treatment. Assuming you are positive (I note you have already taken Valtrex for herpes), I am not a big fan of long term treatment or suppressive treatment as it involves long periods of time & can cause a lot of side effects. Hence a simple advice is when you feel the outbreak about to erupt (body pain, tingling at the site etc), immediately start a oral course of Acyclovir 400mg 4-5 times daily for 5 days (20-25 tabs) together with local application of 5% acyclovir cream applied on the spot (for herpes lesions) again till lesions quieten. In subsequent attacks you can reduce the tabs to 200mg taken similarly but continue the application of the cream. This will push back the recurrences & in time will quieten down. In my experience as a dermatologist for close to 2 decades, I find this is a practical, safe & feasible approach that gives great results. I trust I have addressed the herpes issue & given you a clear direction. For further follow-up, prescription etc, you will need to follow up with an ER or a physician @ ground0. As for the yeast infection, when it erupts, a topical 2% ketoconazole cream may be used (Nizoral is a an international brand) & a 2% ketoconazole soap applied to the sensitive areas during bathing twice/week & left in contact for 5 minutes or so should help sort your issue. I do note you state you do not perform oral sex but I am guessing that your husband does & while I think this is perfectly normal & healthy, it may be the way that the herpes et al is being transmitted & the viral load building up. So please do get him checked for herpes titres also & perhaps consider avoiding this aspect for a couple of months till your issues are sorted. I trust I have given you clear cut guidelines to take this forward. Good Luck & Godspeed & wish you a fruitful long married life. Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD