hello everyone,
I am having my first major outbreak, even though I believe now that I have had this mildly for many many years. I have been with the same man for the past 27 years and he has no symptoms at all. Anyway, it is week two right now and I started with itching, bumps on my vulva. They turned into puss filled blisters, very painful, and more itching around my buttocks, anus, vagina. Also, I had urinary pain and frequency. My right side of my groin had an enlarged and painful gland. I generally felt miserable, tired and weak. Now everything is starting to get better. My sores have healed almost completely, the itching is not as bad, the gland is down, my bladder feels better. HOWEVER, now I have people telling me that my skin (face) looks yellowish. I am quite fair skinned and tend to be red if anything. It is only a slight change, but three different people noticed it. I didn't at first, but now I see a little of what they are talking about. I did dye my hair with henna a few days ago and that is when people noticed. Has anyone else experienced yellowing skin tones. This is scaring me. Thanks in advance for your responses. :confused:

Well, I'm no expert...but, I don't think yellowing of the skin can be related to a herpes outbreak. I don't mean to make things worse for you, but yellowing of the skin is usually associated with jaundice. Again, I'm no expert!

Do you have any problems with your liver or gallstones? When there's a problem with the bile getting from the liver to the intestines, it builds up and enters your bloodstream as bilirubin-that will make your skin and whites of your eyes turn yellow.

I've had gh for almost 5 years and my skin has never appeared yellow. But, then again, I've never had as bad of an ob as you described either.

Is it possible it could have been the hair color change you made? And you looked so different to the people who see you everyday that your appearance (including your skin tone) looked different to them?

Look at the whites of your eyes and see if there is a yellow tint to them, if there is, go to the doctor! I'm betting that the people just are seeing this because of the new hair color though. They see that something is different and they can't quite put their finger on it. Have you changed your foundation or powder? That could make you yellow to them? But I have never read anything about herpes causing yellowing of the skin, that's hepatitis or liver or something like that. My OB is much worse than you have described and has gone on for well over a month now and in fact, I was just noticing my skin on my face is very clear and smooth, I think it's the zinc pills I've started taking because of herpes.

Thank you both for your responses. The whites of my eyes are very white. I am going to get a liver function test to be on the safe side, but I am 99% sure this is fine. Ok, this is embarrassing, but I was using this aloe vera, vitimin E lotion that is suppossed to preserve your tan. I couldn't care less about a tan, and in December in New York who gets a tan anyway. However I do use this lotion in the summer, just because it is soothing and since I ran out of my normal lotion I pulled out my summer lotion, this aloe vera "tan preserver" stuff. I had no idea it actually dyed your skin a little, but the ingredients include yellow and red dye! I have taken some ribbing from my family on this, but truly I am relieved. I am a cancer survivor and it was scary to think something besides the herpes might be going on. Anyway, that's why I am going to keep the appointment for the liver function test, but I am pretty sure it is just that lotion. Whew! Thanks again to both who responded.

Funny...so it's that lotion making your skin kinda yellow...well no wonder it's a tan preserver...sounds like actually it's kind of like those self tanning lotions only not as powerful. Well that's a relief that's all it is! That's much like people going to the dermatologist for a skin rash only to find out it's your laundry detergent or fab. softener sheets...very common!