Groin Irritation

I am a mid 20's male who has noticed some burning in the groin area.  I noticed about a week ago what appeared to be stretch marks, one at the skinfold or crease of each groin.  The marks were not raised, didn't itch, no bumps, no problems urinating, no discharge, and were linear approximatley 3cm long each and red (although, i have never seen nor inspected the skinfolds this closely, so they might have always been red).  I have felt fine otherwise.  However, over the past week i have noticed a burning sensation radiating throughout my groin area.  Not inspecting my groin much, i figured the stretch marks were some form of irritation so i put some vitamin A & D cream on each side, then some hydrocortisone, then neosporin and then talcum powder over the course of 2 days.  I have not had a breakout or rash, just some general burning sensations that radiate down the inner thigh and then back up toward my pelvic bones.  

I had protected hetero sex about 12 days ago, condom was properly used.  the burning stretch marks were noticed about 5 days after that.  My first question, how is genital herpes transmitted from female to male. I know by skin to skin contact, but if the female has HSV II, does that virus have to enter through a cut, lesion, or sore?  Is the skin a barrier?  Or can the virus be transmitted via skin-to-skin contact per se(no lesions, strictly skin to skin)?  Do the above symptoms resemble genital herpes(or any other STD)?  

Next, i noticed extreme dryness and redness on my right hand the same day as the burning stretch marks.  Could these be connected?  My left hand is now starting to get dry and red.  I have appointments set up, but couldn't get in to see the Dr yet.  

Thank you for the service you provide and your patience in reading this!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you have stretch marks.  These are misnamed, because they also occur on nonobese people, especially if they lift weights or are otherwise athletic.  They start out red and fade to off-white.  No treatment is likely to affect them.

The time relationship with your sexual encounter is probably a complete coincidence, though your concern has of course made you look more carefully, and this concern has no doubt contributed to your feelings of burning, etc. which I can't put together with either stretch marks or, for that matter, any STD.  What you describe certainly doesn't sound like herpes or any STD.

I'd just keep the area moist and show the dcotor so you can get the likely reassurance you need.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[bluestone]

A related discussion, Similar Symptoms was started.

[sc0otr]

A related discussion, Same problem, not stretch marks was started.