Do I have folliculitis

[LDW]

I am having an outbreak of red pimples in the groin area. I last had sex with my girlfriend six days ago.The outbreak has happened in this time frame. She is unshaven, but was "bristly" which caused some chafing. The pimples look similar to molluscum, which I had a bout with about two years ago. I cannot be sure though. After looking at Folliculitis pictures on the internet and re-examining myself, it appears that a hair is growing through most of the pimples. My questions are A)Can molluscum reoccur?B)How long does it take for folliculitis to develop, if this is what it is? C)Could it be something else? There is no fever or pain urinating.

[aj247]

My dermatologist just diagnosed me with Molluscum after, in my terms, quickly looking at the infected area which lie in a field of pubic hair.  I have read some comments on this forum about having vigorous sex with your girlfriend and then having the spots appear and I will proudly admit I am in the same boat.  We have a weekend relationship and we've been monogomous for close to 9 months now so nothing has been different with sex from any other weekend - theres just a lot of it... you know to make up for lost time.  Anyway, when I started seeing these red little pimple/bumps they would get really itchy at night - which in my self-diagnosis, attributed it to viruses liking warm cozy places - but I also felt itchiness around my whole body (I dont know if thats mental or not).  So far my girlfriend hasnt seen an outbreak but I could only imagine that she's been thoroughly exposed to it.  My question is do you think that  my dermotologist should not be quick to determine whether its molluscum or folliculitis?  And does curly and sometimes ingrown hair play a major role in folliculitis?  And will this Aldara cream do the trick for both?  And this weekend is going to be very frustrating - romantic getaway in the poconos - hot tub and fireplace. eeeek!  Oh and my girlfriend wants to know whether oral sex is out of the question?  Thanks for the all the help everyone.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Molluscum can recur, but what you have sounds like folliculitis, which could occur in this time frame.  For definitive diagnosis, you will need to see a doctor in person.  If this is folliculitis, it will most likely go away on its own if left alone before you get to see the doctor.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff