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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
HERPES VS FOLLICULITIS
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.
HERPES VS FOLLICULITIS
by FURAX, Jul 04, 2002 12:00AM
I am having a big stress concerning my pubic rash.
almost 2 weeks ago i started feeling some stinging in my groin followed 2 weeks later by an itching sensation on my pubic hair area. it started as multiple single elevated pimple like papules center of wich lies individual pubic hair. maye be 2 on the right 2 on the left 3 in the center and one on each side of my shaft but still on the hair covered areas.they are not located too close to each other. i have no lesions on my penis. no inguinal lymphadenopathy.
i tried applying topical steroid on it, the itching went away.
now they continue to individually grow and continue to burn occasionally but without itching. while growing i skeezed on one of them and pus came out. today i noticed that 2 of them have a balck kind of scab , squeezed one and blood came out.while growing around the bumps that i feel even under the skin, they formed kind of dryness vs peeling.
almost 4 months ago i had intimate relation on 2 occasion with a woman who told me later that she had herpes. on the 2 occasions i had 2 condoms on. i always wear two on lubricated to be extra safe.
i know it is difficult to describe a rash using words instead of pictures. but could you tell me please if that herpes or is it folliculitis. and if so how can i treat the latter??
almost 2 weeks ago i started feeling some stinging in my groin followed 2 weeks later by an itching sensation on my pubic hair area. it started as multiple single elevated pimple like papules center of wich lies individual pubic hair. maye be 2 on the right 2 on the left 3 in the center and one on each side of my shaft but still on the hair covered areas.they are not located too close to each other. i have no lesions on my penis. no inguinal lymphadenopathy.
i tried applying topical steroid on it, the itching went away.
now they continue to individually grow and continue to burn occasionally but without itching. while growing i skeezed on one of them and pus came out. today i noticed that 2 of them have a balck kind of scab , squeezed one and blood came out.while growing around the bumps that i feel even under the skin, they formed kind of dryness vs peeling.
almost 4 months ago i had intimate relation on 2 occasion with a woman who told me later that she had herpes. on the 2 occasions i had 2 condoms on. i always wear two on lubricated to be extra safe.
i know it is difficult to describe a rash using words instead of pictures. but could you tell me please if that herpes or is it folliculitis. and if so how can i treat the latter??
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 05, 2002 12:00AM
, Jul 05, 2002 12:00AM
I'm impressed by your powers of description and use of technical terms. The key is your statement that the spots have a "center in which lies an individual pubic hair." This makes it sound like folliculitis, which inflames each individual hair. This is not the case with herpes. Your case doesn't sound like herpes at all (usually on the penis itself, blisters, etc.)
I suggest you wash with an antibacterial cleanser (e.g. Hibiclens, non-Rx), apply bacitracin, and leave the rash alone. If it isn't clear in a week, show a doctor. If you get the rash again, show it to someone as soon as you can (or take a good picture and take it to the appointment.)
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I suggest you wash with an antibacterial cleanser (e.g. Hibiclens, non-Rx), apply bacitracin, and leave the rash alone. If it isn't clear in a week, show a doctor. If you get the rash again, show it to someone as soon as you can (or take a good picture and take it to the appointment.)
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
