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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Folliculitis, but now questioning
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Folliculitis, but now questioning
by linnaeus35, Nov 21, 2006 12:00AM
I have a question regarding folliculitis. This is the first time I've experienced this particular situation.
I recently had sexual intercourse with a new partner. About 3-4 days afterward, I noticed a group of red bumps in my groin area (roughly at the hip joint) that were growing around hairs. Nothing appeared on my genitals (I used a condom), and I had no discomfort urinating or any itching or soreness on my genitals. Most of the bumps then appeared to stop swelling and go down, except one, which looked a lot like a pimple. I did poke and prod quite a bit, and at some point, the lesion was squeezed and what came out looked like what happens when you squeeze a pimple. The sore remained red and the skin was peeling on the top of the bump. I should also add that I shaved the area to get a better look, but that now looks like it wasn't a good idea, as the area now burns more, but not painfully so.
I do get cold sores, and what I observed on my groin didn't look like that. It didn't look like a blister, and I didn't see the kind of clustered group of "blisters" that I see when I get a cold sore.
I went to a clinician to have it looked at, in case it might be herpes. She examined the lesion and said that it didn't look like herpes, but rather folliculitis. I felt reassured by this, but the next day, I noticed some red blotching, especially on my right thumb, but also some on a couple of my other fingers. The blotching is happening not on the side of the fingertip with the nail, but on the other side (where I actually grip things). I did touch the bump in my groin with my fingers, and the fluid did touch the skin of my fingertips, but I ran to wash my hands as soon as I had done so.
My question is: is it possible for the folliculitis infection (or whatever it is) to spread to other surfaces of the skin, including hairless areas like my fingertips? It could be just a coincidence or I may be overly worried and reading too much into what I'm seeing. I trust my clincian's judgement, but I thought I'd ask just for additional information. Thank you!
I recently had sexual intercourse with a new partner. About 3-4 days afterward, I noticed a group of red bumps in my groin area (roughly at the hip joint) that were growing around hairs. Nothing appeared on my genitals (I used a condom), and I had no discomfort urinating or any itching or soreness on my genitals. Most of the bumps then appeared to stop swelling and go down, except one, which looked a lot like a pimple. I did poke and prod quite a bit, and at some point, the lesion was squeezed and what came out looked like what happens when you squeeze a pimple. The sore remained red and the skin was peeling on the top of the bump. I should also add that I shaved the area to get a better look, but that now looks like it wasn't a good idea, as the area now burns more, but not painfully so.
I do get cold sores, and what I observed on my groin didn't look like that. It didn't look like a blister, and I didn't see the kind of clustered group of "blisters" that I see when I get a cold sore.
I went to a clinician to have it looked at, in case it might be herpes. She examined the lesion and said that it didn't look like herpes, but rather folliculitis. I felt reassured by this, but the next day, I noticed some red blotching, especially on my right thumb, but also some on a couple of my other fingers. The blotching is happening not on the side of the fingertip with the nail, but on the other side (where I actually grip things). I did touch the bump in my groin with my fingers, and the fluid did touch the skin of my fingertips, but I ran to wash my hands as soon as I had done so.
My question is: is it possible for the folliculitis infection (or whatever it is) to spread to other surfaces of the skin, including hairless areas like my fingertips? It could be just a coincidence or I may be overly worried and reading too much into what I'm seeing. I trust my clincian's judgement, but I thought I'd ask just for additional information. Thank you!
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Nov 22, 2006 12:00AM
, Nov 22, 2006 12:00AM
I agree with your clinician. Even if this were herpes (which it isn't), you couldn't spread it to your hands by touching. I think you are, as you put it yourself, looking a bit too hard.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
