Help - Orf in humans

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Help - Orf in humans

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Kirstie

Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Posts: 94
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 10:09 am Post subject: Help - Orf in humans

Well here goes I have been lambing and tagging loads of different farmers sheep to assist them, I have developed a sore on my finger, last night I was told by one of my farming friends that I have orf. My lambs certainly don't have it so it's not from mine and although some of the lambs were a little scabby that I was tagging I didn't think twice. Well this sore has now spread to a great big angry lump and seems to be spreading rather rapidly, is this a medical emergency or can I just wait to go to the doctors on Tuesday? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, even if you can recommend some cream that I could use. Hence to say I now have to stay away from my pet lambs and goats and ask someone else to look after all the animals.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 10:18 am Post subject:
I have no idea, but have you tried NHS direct? At least you can phone them but I'm not sure if they know what it would be.

Kirstie

Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Posts: 94
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 10:21 am Post subject:
Hi Treacodactyl, no I haven't and I don't even have the number I am a really healthy person normally, I think its the country lifestyle so have never had any need for doctors or anything, it just looks very unsightly and is very painful. Thanks though I will look on the web for the number.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 10:22 am Post subject:
I would second the phonecall to NHS direct - infections can spread scarily fast if they get into the bloodstream. Phone no. is 0845 4647. Good luck.

Kirstie

Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Posts: 94
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 10:34 am Post subject:
Thanks Judith, have rung them and they needed to refer it to a nurse and are going to call me back, they didn't know what it was so had to give a description and tell them all about it. So hopefully I should know in the next couple of hours what to do.

Gertie

Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 1638
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 3:48 pm Post subject:
Hi Kirstie - I hope that by now you've had a call back from NHS Direct. How's things?

Gervase

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 5:11 pm Post subject:

Poor you! Hopefully it shouldn't be too bad if your immune system is up to scratch. Unfortunately orf is a viral rather than a bacterial infection, so if your nurse suggests antibiotics it might be useful to remind him/her of this - doctors may know it better as contagious ecthyma or sheep parapox virus.
To be honest, there's not a lot in the way of treatment, other than making sure that the rest of you is fighting fit so your immune system can deal with it - usually a month or so after the lesions appear they clear up.
Oh, and don't scratch your face or head, whatever you do, as it could be transferred there. If you've got a cotton glove, wear that.

hardworkinghippy

Joined: 01 Jan 2005
Posts: 1110
Location: Bourrou South West France

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 6:22 pm Post subject:
Kirstie, I sympathise - some years ago I had Orf and got it all over my hands and face. Try to get some iodine, and spread it over the itchy bits. It will help stop it spreading and calm the scratching. DON'T touch anything with your bare fingers, as Gervase says, wear gloves if you can. Good luck! HWH

Kirstie

Joined: 01 Apr 2005
Posts: 94
Location: Scotland

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 7:16 pm Post subject:

Hi all, thanks for the wonderful caring responses. Well it was certainly enlightening running NHS direct, I think I ended up teaching them a thing or two as none of them had heard of it. However they were fantastic and rang a doctor in casualty to see about the situation, his mother was a vet! He rang her and found out about it, so basically I was treated by a vet, I know Im close to my animals but that is bordering on ridiculous

I have to keep dressings on it, not use the same towels as anyone else, keep it clean basically. I was offfered antibiotics but refused them as I don't think this would help at all, so am sticking to the iodine, must have bypassed the itchy stage as it is now very sore.

Thanks for all the advice and sympathy

Hopefully it will clear up soon, was going to try some aromatherapy oils on it, but will have to read up to see if I can find anything that would help.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun May 01, 05 8:01 pm Post subject:
Bizarrely vets are allowed to treat people, but doctors aren't allowed to treat animals. IIRC On the itchiness bit there's an E45 Itch Relief cream which I find helps with eczema, it might be worth a try.

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