A little wordy but Fit to be Tied!

About a year and a half ago, I developed an incredible itching sensation in the scrotal area.  I itched at it quite a bit.  The skin was very dry and began to peel.  This itching lasted for about a week and occasionally was accompanied by a burning sensation in the bottom of my left foot. (Sounds like symtpoms of herpes per information off of the internet) A few weeks went on and then the itching and peeling came back and lasted for about another week.  This pattern continued for a couple of months.  Then I encountered soemthing a little more concerning.  I noticed a red striped-like rash on the bottom side of my penis with some irritation in the scrotal area.  This would again come and go.  Around March of this year, this striped-like rash on the penis and now complete irritation of the scrotal area (deep red with burning sensations and sometimes itchy and even occassional burning in the thighs) has resided with me permanently, with only partial relief occasionally   I have been to several GP's and three dermatologists.  My main concern has always been that this was herpes related.  I have been told emphatically that this is not the case.  I have never had herpes type blisters anywhere (although recently I was given quite a scare when I developed what I thought might be herpe blisters on the left side of my scrotum and one or two on the right side, but was told by two dermatologists that they were papules from eczema irritation and not herpe like).   I have been told by the GP's and dermatologists that this is either bacterial, fungal, or eczema related and have been treated for all.  I have used a billion creams and ointments, including hydrocortisone, clotrimazole, etc. (Probably never gave any of them long enough to do what they were supposed to)  Per recommendation of the last dermatologist I saw about three weeks ago, I am currently using Desonide ointment .05% to treat eczema / dermatitus.  I have noticed from time to time a gradual slight improvement, especially in the scrotal area.  Certain areas are starting to look normal.  However, this comes and goes.  It seems that my scrotum is really dependent on this ointment for some relief.  Additionally, I have been diagnosed with folliculitus (folliculitis) in the thigh area and now think I have this in the pubic hair area above the penis.  Every now and then I will get these red bumps (look like pimples sometimes with faint white heads) in my pubic hair area.  These bumps show up in various hair follicles and tend to fade and go away after about 2 days.  A question regarding folliculitus (folliculitis).. Can it come and go away by itself?  Also could this be viral warts?  All of this has completely destroyed my sex life and is effecting me in the worst way emotionally.  I have been majorly depressed for the bast 3 months over all of this activity in my groin area.  Does it sound like any of this may be STD related and / or contagious?  Look forward to hearing from you.  Thanks and Best regards!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Nothing about the story you tell reminds me of herpes.  You have seen many doctors who tell you it isn't herpes.

It isn't herpes.

It isn't warts either.  

The folliculitis has nothing to do with anything.  Neither does the burning sensation on your foot.

My advice is this: 1. Have your doctor order one of the newer herpes blood tests.  A negative test will go a long way to convincing you that you don't have herpes. 2. Ignore fleeting changes in color and sensation. 3. Stop all steroids--even Desonide, which is mild, can in my experience perpetuate skin changes and sensations. 4. Get counseling to help you get your sex and emotional life back together.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff