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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Herpes confusion.
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Herpes confusion.
by dazednconfuzed, Feb 09, 2005 12:00AM
Hello Dr,
Approx. 18 days ago I had protected intercourse. Immediately after the act I noticed the tip of my penis was slightly discolored, perhaps bruised, from (protected) oral I had received. About 11-12 days after the sexual encounter, I noticed a small red rash, slightly opened, to the left of my testicle. I visited a dermatologist about a day after this discovery thinking this could potentially be a sign of herpes. The Dr. did a visual checkup and told me that it wasn't herpes since the rash/opening was in a straight line (it pretty much looked like it began at a hair follicle and followed the diagnal line of where the groin and leg meet). The Dr. looked at the tip of my penis and suggested I might have had an allergic reaction to the condom. He prescribed hydrocortisone and antibiotic ointment for my use. I'm scheduled to come back for a checkup in about 2 days.
While I left the office feeling a little bit relieved, I found it unsettling that the Dr. told me there was nothing to test even after I asked for one... even a blood test.
So, I've been using the creams on my rash and penis for the past 7 days now and I've noticed that the initial rash looks like it is nearly healed... however, a couple of days ago I noticed the head of my penis appeared to be slightly red in spots with small red dots kind of scattered about. There aren't many of these "dots" but I can't tell if they are raised or not. If anything, I'm pretty sure they aren't blisters or sores. In addition to this, I noticed redness on the skin of shaft itself when I pull the foreskin back (I am uncircumsized). In this case, I haven't seen any of these red dots. I'm unaware of how long both instances have lasted... perhaps 3-4 days or more. Lately I've been monitoring my penis constantly.
The redness has subsided slightly on both the head and foreskin, but I still notice the small red dots on the head of the penis. In terms of symptoms, I haven't had any type burning or itching on the penis or around the area or anything that has caused discomfort with exception to constantly thinking I've caught an STD. I haven't felt sick or experienced flu-like symptoms, but it does seem like I've had a stomach ache for the past few days now, kind of lower abdominal, and looser stools than usual. I don't know if the stomach ache is from stressing out and loose stools is from coming back from a foreign country to the United States, but I feel it is worth mentioning.
That is my status for now and I'm getting pretty paranoid thinking I just might have herpes. Doc, if you feel this isn't herpes, than what could it be? I would like to be tested for hsv-2, but I don't know what test to take or how long I should wait to get an accurate result. If I have to wait to be tested, what is a feasible timeline? Prior to this experience, I abstained from sex for almost 2 years and have never noticed anything like this before or I just don't remember.
Is herpes a possibility?
Approx. 18 days ago I had protected intercourse. Immediately after the act I noticed the tip of my penis was slightly discolored, perhaps bruised, from (protected) oral I had received. About 11-12 days after the sexual encounter, I noticed a small red rash, slightly opened, to the left of my testicle. I visited a dermatologist about a day after this discovery thinking this could potentially be a sign of herpes. The Dr. did a visual checkup and told me that it wasn't herpes since the rash/opening was in a straight line (it pretty much looked like it began at a hair follicle and followed the diagnal line of where the groin and leg meet). The Dr. looked at the tip of my penis and suggested I might have had an allergic reaction to the condom. He prescribed hydrocortisone and antibiotic ointment for my use. I'm scheduled to come back for a checkup in about 2 days.
While I left the office feeling a little bit relieved, I found it unsettling that the Dr. told me there was nothing to test even after I asked for one... even a blood test.
So, I've been using the creams on my rash and penis for the past 7 days now and I've noticed that the initial rash looks like it is nearly healed... however, a couple of days ago I noticed the head of my penis appeared to be slightly red in spots with small red dots kind of scattered about. There aren't many of these "dots" but I can't tell if they are raised or not. If anything, I'm pretty sure they aren't blisters or sores. In addition to this, I noticed redness on the skin of shaft itself when I pull the foreskin back (I am uncircumsized). In this case, I haven't seen any of these red dots. I'm unaware of how long both instances have lasted... perhaps 3-4 days or more. Lately I've been monitoring my penis constantly.
The redness has subsided slightly on both the head and foreskin, but I still notice the small red dots on the head of the penis. In terms of symptoms, I haven't had any type burning or itching on the penis or around the area or anything that has caused discomfort with exception to constantly thinking I've caught an STD. I haven't felt sick or experienced flu-like symptoms, but it does seem like I've had a stomach ache for the past few days now, kind of lower abdominal, and looser stools than usual. I don't know if the stomach ache is from stressing out and loose stools is from coming back from a foreign country to the United States, but I feel it is worth mentioning.
That is my status for now and I'm getting pretty paranoid thinking I just might have herpes. Doc, if you feel this isn't herpes, than what could it be? I would like to be tested for hsv-2, but I don't know what test to take or how long I should wait to get an accurate result. If I have to wait to be tested, what is a feasible timeline? Prior to this experience, I abstained from sex for almost 2 years and have never noticed anything like this before or I just don't remember.
Is herpes a possibility?
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Feb 09, 2005 12:00AM
, Feb 09, 2005 12:00AM
I don't think anything you're describing sounds like herpes. Your intense concern is causing you to make all kinds of observations (red spots, loose stools) that probably have nothing to do with STD's, and would go away on their own if you ignored them. If you still need reassurance, you should wait 2-3 months and have a type-specific herpes 2 test. However, the larger issue is that you are apparently letting paranoia put your sex life on hold for long periods, for no clear medical reason. You may want to address that with a psychologist or similar counselor.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Regardless, I think you can understand the paranoia I feel now of a possible STD, especially since I had sex with a woman I really didn't know all too well (bad judgement on my part) and I can't pinpoint whether these odd, mild, symptoms/irregularities are from the act and are more serious than they appear to be. The weather here is brutally cold now, so perhaps this is all coincidental and I'm just trying to find a definitive reason.
I don't know if you follow-up on replies, but if you do, I do have one other question. I'm sure this is probably nothing, but I've had a runny nose and I've been sneezing alot as well - is it possible that I have an allergy, and if so, would an allergy do any of the things I've explained in my first post? The initial open sore is what really concerns me the most, even though now it looks completely healed. It never blistered, flaked, popped, oozed, or anything... just looks like a pinkish blemish now.
Thanks for the quick previous reply.
Dr. Rockoff