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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
AM I BEING MISLEAD?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
AM I BEING MISLEAD?
by JAKE619, Aug 23, 2003 12:00AM
DEAR DOCTOR,
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I GOT A RASH ON MY WRIST BUT NO VISIBLE BITES. THEN IT STARTED TO SPREAD TO MY BELLY BUTTON AREA,LOVE HANDLE AREA, INNER THIGHS, ELBOWS, ARMPITS AND IN BETWEEN FINGERS. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A HEAT RASH. THEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I SAW A PIMPLE LIKE BUMP ON MY PENIS HEAD. I WENT TO MY PHYSICANS ASSISTANT AND HE SAID IT WAS JUST A HEAT RASH AND MY PENIS WAS IRRITATED FROM SEX AND CONDOM. THEN A WEEK LATER IT GOT WORSE AND THERE WERE MORE SORES ON THE PENIS HEAD. I WENT BACK AND HE TOLD ME IT LOOKS LIKE HERPES OR HIV. I ALMOST PAST OUT. I TOOK A BLOOD TEST AND WONT KNOW FOR A WEEK. IVE HAD SEVERE ANXIETY. I DONT HAVE SWOLLEN GLANDS,HEADACHE,DIARREA (diarrhea) BUT I DO HAVE A SLIGHT FEVER 100.2 IVE NOTICED THE RASH HAS GOTTEN WORSE. ESPECAILY AT NIGHT AND HOT WATER REALLY IRRITATES IT. IM SCRATCHING LIKE CRAZY. NOW MY GENITAL AREA IS STARTING TO SCRATCH. I STARTING TO SEE LITTLE RED BUMPS ON MY INNER THIGH. IVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON HERPES AND THE BUMPS DONT LOOK LIKE BLISTERS OR CLUSTERS. LAST NIGHT I ACCIDENTLLY STUMBLED ACROSS SOMETHING CALLED SCABIES ON THE NET. IT PRETTY MUCH DESCRIBED MY SYMPTOMS TO THE T. MY QUESTIONS ARE......
1. IM 24 YRS OLD IS IT POSSIBLE I HAVE SCABIES AND NOT HIV OR HERPES?
2. NONE OF MY FRIENDS ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS IS THAT WEIRD?
3. THE PICTURES OF SCABIES ON THE PENIS IVE SEEN ON THE NET LOOK VERY SIMILIAR TO MINE. WHAT ARE THE SORES ON THE HEAD CAUSED FROM?
4. I WANT TO GO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH SCABIES THEN A PA.?
5. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING SCABIES?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. JAKE
ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I GOT A RASH ON MY WRIST BUT NO VISIBLE BITES. THEN IT STARTED TO SPREAD TO MY BELLY BUTTON AREA,LOVE HANDLE AREA, INNER THIGHS, ELBOWS, ARMPITS AND IN BETWEEN FINGERS. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A HEAT RASH. THEN ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I SAW A PIMPLE LIKE BUMP ON MY PENIS HEAD. I WENT TO MY PHYSICANS ASSISTANT AND HE SAID IT WAS JUST A HEAT RASH AND MY PENIS WAS IRRITATED FROM SEX AND CONDOM. THEN A WEEK LATER IT GOT WORSE AND THERE WERE MORE SORES ON THE PENIS HEAD. I WENT BACK AND HE TOLD ME IT LOOKS LIKE HERPES OR HIV. I ALMOST PAST OUT. I TOOK A BLOOD TEST AND WONT KNOW FOR A WEEK. IVE HAD SEVERE ANXIETY. I DONT HAVE SWOLLEN GLANDS,HEADACHE,DIARREA (diarrhea) BUT I DO HAVE A SLIGHT FEVER 100.2 IVE NOTICED THE RASH HAS GOTTEN WORSE. ESPECAILY AT NIGHT AND HOT WATER REALLY IRRITATES IT. IM SCRATCHING LIKE CRAZY. NOW MY GENITAL AREA IS STARTING TO SCRATCH. I STARTING TO SEE LITTLE RED BUMPS ON MY INNER THIGH. IVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON HERPES AND THE BUMPS DONT LOOK LIKE BLISTERS OR CLUSTERS. LAST NIGHT I ACCIDENTLLY STUMBLED ACROSS SOMETHING CALLED SCABIES ON THE NET. IT PRETTY MUCH DESCRIBED MY SYMPTOMS TO THE T. MY QUESTIONS ARE......
1. IM 24 YRS OLD IS IT POSSIBLE I HAVE SCABIES AND NOT HIV OR HERPES?
2. NONE OF MY FRIENDS ARE SHOWING SYMPTOMS IS THAT WEIRD?
3. THE PICTURES OF SCABIES ON THE PENIS IVE SEEN ON THE NET LOOK VERY SIMILIAR TO MINE. WHAT ARE THE SORES ON THE HEAD CAUSED FROM?
4. I WANT TO GO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH SCABIES THEN A PA.?
5. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF GETTING SCABIES?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. JAKE
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 24, 2003 12:00AM
, Aug 24, 2003 12:00AM
1. Yes it's possible, but . . .
2. Your partner and/or friends would be likely to have it too.
3 and 4. To get a proper diagnosis, you should indeed see a dermatologist. While you wait for the appointment, please don't rub or scratch the area, so the doctor can tell what's going on.
5. Scabies can occur in any climate, but that doesn't mean you have it.
To be frank, your condition sounds more like irritation that either herpes or scabies.
Please relax, get yourself diagnosed, and then you can get on with things.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
2. Your partner and/or friends would be likely to have it too.
3 and 4. To get a proper diagnosis, you should indeed see a dermatologist. While you wait for the appointment, please don't rub or scratch the area, so the doctor can tell what's going on.
5. Scabies can occur in any climate, but that doesn't mean you have it.
To be frank, your condition sounds more like irritation that either herpes or scabies.
Please relax, get yourself diagnosed, and then you can get on with things.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
