Folliculitis?

[anxious333]

Hello,

Let me preface by saying I am prone to anxiety, and I'm really just looking for reassurance.  I'm in a longterm monogamous relationship, and have no reason to believe I've been exposed to anything.  3 years ago, I developed 2 or 3 small pimple-like bumps on the outer area of my vulva/perineum.  I had always shaved, and had very recently stopped shaving the affected area.  Not sure if the bumps were located directly on hair follicules, but were definitely surrounded by them.  These bumps did not itch and were painless, except for a tiny bit of tenderness in the direct area.  They were located in different areas - not clustered.  They developed white heads, much like pimples, and they contained a white substance that was not exactly pus-like, but a bit harder. The white "stuff" expressed itself, and the bumps resolved themselves very shortly thereafter. I never touched them or squeezed them.  They lasted 6-8 weeks.  I went to the doctor, who told me that they were ingrown hairs/folliculitis - not warts or otherwise (they looked and behaved very much like long-lasting pimples).  I asked her if it could be molluscum, and she said no.  She told me they would resolve themselves, which they did almost immediately after my appointment.  They have never returned.  I've recently begun scaring myself with information found on websites (how STDs can masquerade as other things) and I'm looking for some "final reassurance" so I can stop worrying.  I've read that folliculitis tends to recur, but I've had no recurrences (I resumed shaving the area) - is that strange?  

Thank you very much for your help!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think your doctor was right--these do indeed sound like folliculitis.  They do not sound like warts, herpes, or any other STD.  The fact that they've never returned is a bonus.  I'd forget about them and not worry.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[anxious333]

Sorry, wanted to clarify my question:  does this sound like folliculitis?  Can I stop worrying about this (3 years later?!?)

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Yes, I it does.  Yes, you can.  Dr. Rockoff

[Wbomb]

This is embarressing, but I had unprotected sex with someone about 5 days ago. Tonite, I noticed I had these red bumps at the base of my penis, all at the base of hair follicles. I am freaking out because it could be herpes, but all it is, is these red bumbs, that puss and have a little white head come out when you pop them. I have infected hair follicles on the backs of my thighs and I have had them on my penis before. One thing I remember specifically was that after having this unprotected sex, I didnt take a shower and wash the fluid off my penis. I also masterbate using lotion, and dont always shower right afterwards. Could all this have caused the hair follicles to get infected? I will go get tested anyway, but just to ease my mind a bit does this sound like infected hair follicles? No pain, buring, itching, swelling, or any other symptoms. Just the red bumps at the base of hair at the base of my penis.