Herpes question

Doctor,

I have a skin condition on my groin area, several inches above my penis. My doctor did not really know what to make of it and just told me to put neosporin on it. Although he did ask me if I've ever been exposed to herpes zoster (don't think so).

It first showed up over a week ago as just a pink pump. It had a very small head but was not a pimple. I popped it however, and within the last week, seven more little bumps showed up around it and it has itched at night. The bumps never really formed big blisters and they are not tightly clustered as in most herpes pictures. They are close, but seperate from each other and the skin is red and enflamed.

I do not have anything on my penis, nor do I have any other symptoms, such as aches, pains, swollen glands or fever.

Is herpes this characteristic? Would the fact that me squeezing the original bump, which led to the other smaller bumps be indicative of a skin infection of some type? Do Herpes bumps usually all show up at the same time and cluster closely together like in most pictures? These are all scabbed over and still itch, could it be scabies or something? How do you really differentiate herpes from some type of staph or bacterial infection? Have you seen patients get an infection like this if it's in the area that rubs against a women's shaved pubic area? Thank you for your time.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you should show this to a doctor right away.  This is not because I'm alarmed, only that if someone is going to diagnose this, they will need to see it in full bloom.  Follicultis does not typically cluster.  I doubt that your squeezing caused anything in particular.  I also see no role for rubbing during intercourse or any chance of scabies.  If there is a dermatologist or STD clinic you can access right way, I'd go there.  If not, even a walk-in clinic will do.   Meantime, please leave the area alone.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff