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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Ingrown hair or herpes?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Ingrown hair or herpes?
by stdworry, Feb 11, 2003 12:00AM
About 4 -5 months ago I had what appeared to be an ingrown hair at the base of my penis on the top side. I shave my testicles and penis shaft to keep them free from hair. I squeezed this raised red area within weeks of it's first appearence and it produced a small amount of white material (pus) similar to what one might expect from an ingrown hair. The problem is the red bump is still there. There has been no seeping, weeping or any other noticable product from this bump. There has also been no crusting or scabbing. It sometimes appears to decrease in size but the red bump remains. I went to my Doctor yesterday and he told me that herpes sores can sometimes appear as if they were an ingrown hair. He did acknowledge that it was unusual for a herpes sore to remain for months. He prescribed Cefzil and told me not to shave down there for at least two weeks. He thinks it's a skin malady that sometimes starts as an ingrown hair.
My question is this; Is it possible that I have herpes and the "sore" has simply remained due to being untreated? I can't wait two weeks until I go back to the Dr. to find out. I'm going crazy with worry that I have herpes. I've had two sexual partners (unprotected)in the past 8 months neither of which is infected with herpes as far as they know.
My question is this; Is it possible that I have herpes and the "sore" has simply remained due to being untreated? I can't wait two weeks until I go back to the Dr. to find out. I'm going crazy with worry that I have herpes. I've had two sexual partners (unprotected)in the past 8 months neither of which is infected with herpes as far as they know.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Feb 11, 2003 12:00AM
, Feb 11, 2003 12:00AM
What you describe isn't herpes, for many reasons. First, herpes presents as blisters, not as a red bump. Second, herpes goes away in 7-10 days and may recur, but does not persist. Your doctor clearly did not think this was herpes because he prescribed an antibiotic that kills bacteria, not viruses.
If you squeeze a follicle, it can remain there for months before being reabsorbed.
I do not think you have herpes. Take the antibiotic, apply an antibiotic ointment like bacitracin, leave the area alone, keep your follow-up appointment, and stop worrying!
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
If you squeeze a follicle, it can remain there for months before being reabsorbed.
I do not think you have herpes. Take the antibiotic, apply an antibiotic ointment like bacitracin, leave the area alone, keep your follow-up appointment, and stop worrying!
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
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My doc did say he didn't think it was herpes but couldn't rule it out at this point either. He said he would send me to a dermatologist if in two weeks this hasn't gone away. Thanks for your time.