Folliculitis or Herpes 2

I am very concerned about an episode I had about 4-5
months ago. A sore that initially resembled an ingrown
hair developed on my pubic region. It appeared a
couple of days after taking a long 1/2 day bike ride,
so I assumed the friction probably broke off a hair
and caused an ingrown hair to develop. However, it
became very swollen, red, and very tender to the
touch. It continued to develop, beyond any ingrown
hair I've experienced, similar to that of a boil.
Against better judgement, I picked at it quite a lot
hoping to extract a possible ingrown hair. In about a
week, I managed to pop it, and a lot of yellowish to
slightly light greenish pus came out. It formed a very
sensitive volcano-type opening, scabbed over, and
became extremely itchy until the area was completely
healed.

The entire duration of this sore from initial
development to healing was about 3-4 weeks. I don't
know if my picking caused it to get infected, or if
whatever this thing was, was taking it's natural
course.

Since then, I've been getting what appear to be very
small, independent, itchy pimples in varied locations
in my pubic hair. (I'm not sure if it is the pimples that are itching, or the entire pubic hair area.) I've been trying to research this on the internet, and am scared to death that I might have herpes. There are two things, however, that don't seem
consistent with herpes: 1) I have no sores or lesions
in the wet (pink) areas of the vuvla, and 2) I haven't had
sexual relations with anyone in 6 years.

I have an appointment w/ my gynecologist in two months
(the earliest I could get in), and am just scared and
nervous to the point of paranoia. Please help!

Thank you so much in advance.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Doesn't sound anything like herpes to me.  When you squeeze a pimple in the groin, it can become inflamed or infected, and take quite a while to heal up, though it usually does so on its own.

Whatever they are, the pimples you describe as, "small, independent, itchy pimples in varied locations
in my pubic hair," aren't the close cluster of blisters which herpes would cause.  They too may be inflamed, clogged pores, common in the groin.

I suggest that you:

1) Not agnize about herpes
2) take a photo of wehat they look like now to show your gynecologist
3) wash daily with Hibiclens (antibacterial, over-the-counter)
4) apply neosporin ointment daily to the pimples
5) don't squeeze or minutely examine the spots
6) keep your appointment

I am confident you'll be just fine.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[SUCUSE]

Doctor Rockoff,

I am a 22 year old college student experiencing what seems to be folluculitis as well. For the past 8 months I have been noticing small lesions on my scalp that seem to be consistent with scalp folliculitis. They are small and have scabbed over, but do not heal. I have been using a Pomade for my hair which contains Lanolin (which I heard increases the liklihood of the infection). What is the best way to treat such an infection? I am currently on Augmentin 875 mg for 10 days to treat a sinus infection, will or could that clear it up the scalp infection as well?.. or do you think that a longer course of a drug such as Tricyclen will be the only way to cure this?

Thank You.

M.

[Justtobeme2]

I would just like to add that I also had this condition of a large inflamed bump that occured from friction. Like her I picked it also as it was red and painful.When I finally got it all out, which also included something that looked like a core it took a few weeks for it to finally heal but it did. I must say that I have had this several times in my life. I haven't had it in awhile since losing weight.

[KLD]

I have had chronic folliculitis on my lower legs.  The first time I had a problem was during the summer when I spent a lot of time swimming in a lake that probably had a good source of bacteria in the water.  After many trips to various trips to dermatologists and no resolution I was very frustrated. One dermatologist told me I was shaving incorrectly -- had I followed his method of shaving, my legs would have been like sandpaper after I shaved...hence I didn't follow his guidance.

This finally cleared up after 6 months or so. However, anytime I go into any type of hot tub or public pool that does not have a good control on their bacteria, I end up with an outbreak... My outbreaks now are either associated with getting into water that has some bacteria problem as well as the outbreaks tend to be cyclical, with outbreaks on my lower legs just days before I start my period. The only treatment that has worked for me is a daily low dose of Tetracycaline; similar to what they give teens for acne. I have used antibacterial scrubs, however since I have very sensitve skin, these usually leave my skin with a topical contact rash which can get very itchy in conjunction with the folliculitus (folliculitis).  I have yet to go to a doctor that has seen this problem --- I have significant scarring on my legs because when the form, they get quite painful until the goop inside is released. Sometimes they are associated with an ingrown hair, but this is not always the case... HAS ANYONE ELSE SEEN THIS PROBLEM??? IF so, please share your comments!

[sunshower]

a few months ago a found a place at the very top of the fold of my vagina. It was a cracked place of skin. It did not hurt or burn. This isnt the first time that i have had a place in that particular area. It is in a fold of skin. My doctor told me that i was caused by soaps or something getting in there and not getting cleaned out. What does this sound like to you. I had a pap smear done and a culture of it and both were normal and neg. i just get soooo nervous.

[Elfblade]

For several months I have been experiencing what I think may be a form of Scalp Folliculitis. I have been getting small, extremely itchy (and sometimes painful)acne-like bumps on my hairline and around the crown of my scalp, which seem to be full of blackhead and whitehead-like deposits. Often the hair root will be either covered with a blackhead, or sheathed in a sometimes rubbery, sometimes crusty white material. This is all disgusting, very annoying, and very uncomfortable. I have made an appointment with a dermatologist, (which I had to book two months in advance) and I've been using a lot of coal tar shampoo lately. Could anyone perhaps shed some light on my condition?
Thanks!