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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Follow Up To Herpes Fear
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Follow Up To Herpes Fear
by SILVERBOX, Jan 23, 2006 12:00AM
This is a follow up to my original question posted on 12/27. This next 2 paragraphs are taken from my original post:
(The concerns are regarding herpes. The fears started when I was at a few strip clubs and received a number of lap dances. I was always fully clothed. I started to fear that I could catch herpes from a lap dance particularily if vaginal fluid caused the dancer's underwear/thong to be wet and also made my pants wet.
The fear has become very real in November I developed 2-3 small very itchy red dots on 1 side of my buttocks. I rubbed 1 of the small spots and it became very chaffed/raw and was then about the size of a quarter. A 2nd followed the same pattern and became an itchy scaly spot There was never any fluid or blister.)
It would seem the red spots were clearing and would then re-appear in a very close spot on my right buttock. This pattern repeated itself 2-3 times in a few weeks. They were always small and never a blister or puss. I don't remember ever getting pimples or sore in this area before these fears started.
I took your advice and went to a dermatologist. The dermatologist diagnosed folliculitis (possibly bacterial). I told him I had been reading the Internet and I was afraid it was herpes. He told me it wasn't herpes and didn't look like herpes. He prescribed Triamcinolone cream. I used the cream for a couple of days and the red spots went away. I stopped using the cream as soon as the spots went away. I thought that was the end of it and perhaps it should have been, however, a couple of days ago I found 2 new red pimples in the same area. They look the same, there is no blister or puss. I am terrified this is recurrent herpes. I found myself checking the spots in the mirror very often and this seemed to increase the fear rather than help the sitiuation.
I started to use the Triamcinolone cream again and the spots have started to go away on their own.
I am so confused and still feeling fear. I want to let go of the fear, however, it hasn't been easy.
I have been in a mutually monogamous relationship for 15+ years and have never strayed outside of my marriage except for the strip club visits.
I have a couple of questios:
1.Is it ok to feel confident that the visual diagnosis against herpes is accurate
2. Does my description sound like herpes:
3. Does the fact that the spots responded to Triamcinolone cream mean anything regarding a possible herpes diagnosis
4. As my only risk was lap dances is it possible herpes would appear on my buttock as there was no contact, even through clothes, in this area.
5. Does it remain your opinion that herpes can't pass through clothing even if the dancer,s panties were wet.
Thank you very much for taking the time to provide help and assistance.
(The concerns are regarding herpes. The fears started when I was at a few strip clubs and received a number of lap dances. I was always fully clothed. I started to fear that I could catch herpes from a lap dance particularily if vaginal fluid caused the dancer's underwear/thong to be wet and also made my pants wet.
The fear has become very real in November I developed 2-3 small very itchy red dots on 1 side of my buttocks. I rubbed 1 of the small spots and it became very chaffed/raw and was then about the size of a quarter. A 2nd followed the same pattern and became an itchy scaly spot There was never any fluid or blister.)
It would seem the red spots were clearing and would then re-appear in a very close spot on my right buttock. This pattern repeated itself 2-3 times in a few weeks. They were always small and never a blister or puss. I don't remember ever getting pimples or sore in this area before these fears started.
I took your advice and went to a dermatologist. The dermatologist diagnosed folliculitis (possibly bacterial). I told him I had been reading the Internet and I was afraid it was herpes. He told me it wasn't herpes and didn't look like herpes. He prescribed Triamcinolone cream. I used the cream for a couple of days and the red spots went away. I stopped using the cream as soon as the spots went away. I thought that was the end of it and perhaps it should have been, however, a couple of days ago I found 2 new red pimples in the same area. They look the same, there is no blister or puss. I am terrified this is recurrent herpes. I found myself checking the spots in the mirror very often and this seemed to increase the fear rather than help the sitiuation.
I started to use the Triamcinolone cream again and the spots have started to go away on their own.
I am so confused and still feeling fear. I want to let go of the fear, however, it hasn't been easy.
I have been in a mutually monogamous relationship for 15+ years and have never strayed outside of my marriage except for the strip club visits.
I have a couple of questios:
1.Is it ok to feel confident that the visual diagnosis against herpes is accurate
2. Does my description sound like herpes:
3. Does the fact that the spots responded to Triamcinolone cream mean anything regarding a possible herpes diagnosis
4. As my only risk was lap dances is it possible herpes would appear on my buttock as there was no contact, even through clothes, in this area.
5. Does it remain your opinion that herpes can't pass through clothing even if the dancer,s panties were wet.
Thank you very much for taking the time to provide help and assistance.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 23, 2006 12:00AM
, Jan 23, 2006 12:00AM
1.Is it ok to feel confident that the visual diagnosis against herpes is accurate
Yes.
2. Does my description sound like herpes:
No.
3. Does the fact that the spots responded to Triamcinolone cream mean anything regarding a possible herpes diagnosis
Yes, it means it isn't herpes.
4. As my only risk was lap dances is it possible herpes would appear on my buttock as there was no contact, even through clothes, in this area.
Not likely.
5. Does it remain your opinion that herpes can't pass through clothing even if the dancer,s panties were wet.
Not likely.
Look, you went to a dermatologist, who seems to have diagnosed and tgreated you correctly. For your own good and peace of mind, please avoid strip clubs. Thanks.
Dr. Rockoff
Yes.
2. Does my description sound like herpes:
No.
3. Does the fact that the spots responded to Triamcinolone cream mean anything regarding a possible herpes diagnosis
Yes, it means it isn't herpes.
4. As my only risk was lap dances is it possible herpes would appear on my buttock as there was no contact, even through clothes, in this area.
Not likely.
5. Does it remain your opinion that herpes can't pass through clothing even if the dancer,s panties were wet.
Not likely.
Look, you went to a dermatologist, who seems to have diagnosed and tgreated you correctly. For your own good and peace of mind, please avoid strip clubs. Thanks.
Dr. Rockoff
