Herpes, HPV or Cysts or am I just totally paranoid?

[worriedgirl]

Had sex May 14 2003, Had papsmear on June 12th 2003, came out abnormal result, followed up and did copoloscopy and results were benign and HPV was not tested, no other issues after that, a red bump appeared August 12th and went away in about 3 weeeks. After that from SEptember through December a few other bumps very small and not red showed up slightly itchy and sometimes a tingle that would be ongoing from August through January. Some bumps went away and others just never did. They are so small I can barely tell but I can feel them. I have put vinegar on them and some of them did turn white and those that did went away. The ones that did not go away don't turn white. HOwever, most did go away. I still have like 2 left and they are so tiny. However today I noticed 4 bumps that are sort of like hard masses in the pubic hair area. Not painless and they don't bother me. I am so nervous I might have herpes. I could deal with HPV. I tried self diagnosing with Aldara and I remember itching the area tremendously so I wonder if I caused the new masses becasue of the itching. I tried condysil and it says that a minor tingling comes from the medication. I haven't been sick in a year, no blisters, no red spots, nor clusters of blisters or even now the new masses look like they are under the skin. I never felt any blisters with pus or any kind of swollen glands or anything at all. I have been depressed. What do you think?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you should leave the areas alone, stop self-medication, stop worrying, and show them to a doctor.  The bumps and tingles are almost certainly going to turn out to be nonspecific or irrelevant.  The bumps in the pubic area likewise.  Still, you need to check them out.  But leave them alone till you do, so the doctor can tell.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff