Boils or herpes

Hi, I had unprotected sex once, about a year later I found what appeared to be a boil on the base of my penis where some pubic hair grows. Usally about once a year I get another one, always near the base of my penis.  It fits the discription of a boil perfectly, but I'm not sure what herpes looks like.  Is it normal to get boils on only the base of my penis? Is this something I should be concerned about?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Sounds like boils to me.  Herpes looks like blisters.  Boils in the groin area are common--thighs, etc.  They are of no significance and rarely need any treatment at all.

I guess I'd have to hedge and say that unless somebody looks at it (or a good-quality photo at least), they couldn't give you a definitive diagnosis, but if it "fits the discription of a boil perfectly," it probably is just a boil.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff