Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
STDs (Expert Forum)
Herpes, Ingrown Hairs?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Herpes, Ingrown Hairs?
by Buddyl33, Jan 13, 2005 12:00AM
I shave my penis and testicles on a daily basis when I am showering. On a rare occasion (maybe 2-3 times in the past 3 years, I have gotten what I would describe as redish areas over the hair folicle pores. They are only on the underside. Typically there will be maybe 4 max and they are tiny.
They are never blister like, and at best resemble a tiny pimple. They don't raise very much at all and sometimes a tiny head appears. These little things can get quite tender. They usualy heal within a week. What concerns me is sometimes the get a little scab at the tip sometimes. Is this herpes, or can an ingrown hair do this too? Would I have more outbreaks if it were herpes?
The reason of my concern is my gf and I had a recent bout of long and rough sex. One to two days afterwards she now has 3 tender bumps at the back of her vagina between it and her anus. They too are not blisterlike or oozing or anything like that. She did shave really, really well recently too. Please advise!
They are never blister like, and at best resemble a tiny pimple. They don't raise very much at all and sometimes a tiny head appears. These little things can get quite tender. They usualy heal within a week. What concerns me is sometimes the get a little scab at the tip sometimes. Is this herpes, or can an ingrown hair do this too? Would I have more outbreaks if it were herpes?
The reason of my concern is my gf and I had a recent bout of long and rough sex. One to two days afterwards she now has 3 tender bumps at the back of her vagina between it and her anus. They too are not blisterlike or oozing or anything like that. She did shave really, really well recently too. Please advise!
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 13, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 13, 2005 12:00AM
Both your symptoms and your partner's conceivably could be due to herpes, but are more likely due to minor infection (folliculitis) related to shaving. But there is no reason you couldn't have both problems. Your partner's symptoms actually sound more typical for herpes, if only because I doubt she shaves between the vagina and anus.
I suggest you see a knowledgable health care provider when the problem is at its most active, i.e. when you and/or your partner have fresh lesions. Alternatively, you both could have a blood test for herpes. See numerous other messages on this forum about the proper blood tests; not all are accurate, especially in distinguishing HSV-2 (the usual cause of genital herpes) from HSV-1 (mostly cold sores, some genital infections).
Good luck-- HHH, MD
I suggest you see a knowledgable health care provider when the problem is at its most active, i.e. when you and/or your partner have fresh lesions. Alternatively, you both could have a blood test for herpes. See numerous other messages on this forum about the proper blood tests; not all are accurate, especially in distinguishing HSV-2 (the usual cause of genital herpes) from HSV-1 (mostly cold sores, some genital infections).
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Since there is no cure for this and symptoms are relatively mild in both of our cases, if indeed what it is, what is really the point of seeking medical attention?
Whether you seek a definite diagnosis certainly is up to you, and it may not be necessary. But saying you are "really creeped out" indicates you aren't really very blase about the possibility of herpes and might rest easier knowing for sure. If a proper blood test for HSV-2 is negative, especially in both of you, you will know you don't have genital herpes that is likely to recur or to be transmitted to others; if one of you is positive and the other negative, you will be able to take steps to prevent transmission to the other; and if you both are positive, you can blow it off (i.e., no worries about back and forth transmission) and not worry much when symptoms appear.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
To yeahyeahyeah: If you have never had sex, then whatever you have isn't an STD. If the bumps look like pimples, that's probably what they are. On the other hand, pimples should persist more than a week or so. If the problem continues, see a health care provider. Best wishes.