Folliculitis or herpes ?

I have had folliculitis pop up in my pubic hair. They apear as whit headed pimples. Most of the time they go unoticed except by sight. Recently I had what I thought was a folliculitis pimple pop up about 4 -5 days after I trimed my pubic hair (pulled and cut not shave) it was noticed first in the shower, there was a stabbing pain when I hit it with the soap. It was located 4mm to the left base of my shaft in my hair line. After my shower I applied hydrocortisone cream. Later in the next couple of days or so I noticed it seemed to turn in to a hard red bump and then seemed to pop. It then looked as if the little hair bump it was sitting on was a little valcano, with a red top (small indent). It didn't really itch or hurt much. I could apply creams with no problem. It has been nine days. It has continued to get better, reducing to a tiny red spec. that feels kinda ruff. Maybe a scab ? It itchs now more than when it starded. I have had the same girl friend for 2 and a 1/2 years we are exclusive. And have had no signs of any STD. Could this have been herpes 1 or 2 or does this sound consistant with a hair follicle problem or pustule ?
Thanks so much

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Jim:

What you had given me is a very meticulous description of folliculitis.  The "little volcano " is a particularly nice touch.  Herpes, by contrast, produces blisters, a group of them rather than one.  No doubt you produced this folliculitis by pulling the hair.  People who wax or pluck their hairs often induce folliculitis in this way. It might be better not to.

Best.

Dr. R

[alanna]

I was told by my Dr. I have Folliculitis.  I have had very large boils under my arm since I was 4 months pregnant.  I was hoping after I had my baby the disease would just disappear but it didn't.  These boils are very painful and some need lancing by the Dr. which is extremely painful not to mention gross. I have quite a collection of scars under my arms plus my hips and knees.  What is the deal, how do I get rid of these things?  I have been on quite a few antibiotics and nothing even seems to do anything.  HELP!