Genital Rash

The problem:
I'm uncircumcised and a small rash has started to form about a finger's width below the head of my penis.  It consisted of a lot of very small blisters and looks extremely similar to poison ivy; although, I don't think that's what it is.  I've been taking isotretinoin in the form of Claravis for over three months.  Originally a very similar rash appeared on the backs of my hands, but they went away with lotion.  Currently, a severe rash just like the one on my penis is on both my forearms.  I started to feel the rash the morning after a day of chronic masturbation, four times.  Although it seems like it's just another place where the isotretinoin has caused severe dry skin, I'm also afraid it could be an STD, namely, Herpes.  Do the symptoms suggest that?  In addition, several weeks ago I had a sore throat for two days and towards the end of the episode my testicles hurt.  About a week ago, they also started to hurt when I drove a car for a long distance, but the pain went away when I stood up and drove a different car and had a better back position.

Additional Information:
Over two years ago I was sexually active orally and vaginally with a girl who was a virgin; I was too.  We rarely used protection.  Every now and then she got a bad cold sore above her lip.  I've been sexually active orally with numerous girls since then.  Last August I had unprotected sex once with a non-virgin who frequently has sex, usually protected but sometimes not.  As far as I know, she has and had no diseases.  I'm currently sexually active orally and anally with a virgin who has no diseases.  As for drugs, I'm currently on isotretinoin.  When I had the episode with the sore throat and aching testicles, I was afraid it could be chlamydia, so I took the standard dosage of tetracycline which I had because of a previous acne infection.  (Probably a foolish thing to do.)  I also read those could be the symptoms of gonorrhea, but I was already on amoxicilin to prevent an ear infection from the sore throat and hoped that would take care of the possible problem.

[Dr Santos]

HI,

Genital Herpes is usually caused by the Herpes simplex virus type  2 and sometimes type 1, which is the  virus usually associated with oral herpes or cold sores. Herpes is characterized by recurrent bouts of genital vesicles, like small blisters, which rapidly break down to form small, painful ulcers. It is highly infectious and usually sexually transmitted. The first episode is usually associated with an acute feverish illness or sore throat.  For definite diagnosis, a  blood test  for the antibodies may be done.  Try to avoid self-medicating to prevent further harm. I recommend that you have this evaluated further by your doctor for proper management.  Direct clinical examination and some laboratory tests may be done to determine the right diagnosis and to rule out other causes.

Take care and keep us posted.