Herpes or something else?

[styro]

  I am a 30 year old male.  For the last two months I have had a small redish patch that has dry skin over it that flakes off - right below the head of my penis.  It only hurts if I masturbate.  Also If I masturbate the flakiness can spread a little and small red spots (evenly distributed) may appear on the head of my penis which recede with the erection .  This is the second time this has happened.  The first was a year ago.  the symptoms started the day after I had sex with my girlfriend. The symptoms this time do not follow any sexual activity.  I am very worried that this is a variant of herpes.  Does this sound like herpes or could it possibly be some other kind of infection.  I would really appreciate a response.
thanks,  
      styro

[scared_2007]

I had a question for you, Doctor. Sept. 22nd, I had unprotected sex with a male, who's last sexual encounter was 3 months ago. He said he hasn't had any symptoms. Well I noticed two nights ago, a pimple looking bump on my left buttock. It looked like it had a white tip surrounded by red. It started to go down yesterday. It didn't pop and it didn't "crust" over. Then today I noticed some more little red bumps on my buttocks, but they are spread out. They are just red and seem flat. None of them itch or burn or anything. Neither did the first bump I noticed. Could this be herpes?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, it doesn't sound like herpes or an STD.  It sounds like irritation.  Try some 1% hydrocortisone (over-the-counter) twice a day for a few days, and minimize friction.  If that doesn't help, you can show a doctor.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff