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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Herpes, follicitis, what is it?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Herpes, follicitis, what is it?
by ty34, Mar 08, 2003 12:00AM
First off, I will be attending the doctor as soon as possible to get checked. But I would I like to go in there being as well informed as I can be. I have small red bumps covering about half of my groin area currently. Some of the bumps have even extended out off of my groin and to the crease of skin between my leg and groin area. They are not actually located on my penis or scrotum but on the area above it. Some of the bumps have heads, kind of like a pimple. They have appeared before, but never on a regular basis. I always assumed they were razor burn because I do shave my groin area and they always show up a couple of days afterwerds. Sometimes it's just one or two, and other times (like this one) it is considerably more. Previously I have tried to pop them and what looks like a little drop of pus comes out. Then they form a small scab and fade away. If I leave them alone and do not pick at them, they just seem to fade away. These red bumps have only occurred a handful of times since I started shaving my groin area. And only once or twice before have there been this many. Another note, I am currently sick with some kind of flu/cold thing. Sore throat, stuffy nose, congestion, achy body (which has more or less gone away). I'm not sure if that factors in at all. Basically, does this sound like some kind of regular skin irritation, or is it something more serious like herpes? Thank you very much.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Mar 09, 2003 12:00AM
, Mar 09, 2003 12:00AM
It does not sound like herpes at all, which would be much more localized and short-lived. It may well be just folliculitis, or it may be molluscum, a viral infection, though this is much less likely. Neither is serious, and your doctor should be able to tell at a glance. Before your visit, please do not pick or squeeze the lesions, so the doctor will be better able to tell what's going on. You may also want to reconsider your practice of shaving the groin, since that may well be producing the problem. Some people with sch "razor bumps" laser away the hair so they don't have to remove it and live with the annoying consequences.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
