Is it herpes or folliculitus(folliculitis)?

Hi. I recently have had some abnormal irritation in my vaginal region.  I've been sleeping with my current partner (unprotected) for about a month now.  I've never had any type of irritation up until this past week.  I was shaving in a rush and shaved the hair on my labia majora but my razor kind of slipped and shaved it at an awkward angle.  I thought I cut myself but the pain was not that bad that day.  It started to itch and the next day is when I noticed some bumps.  The bumps are located on the labia major and there are 2 on the rim of the labia minora and two on each side of the labia majora.  It doesn't burn out of my urethral opening when I pee, but when the urine touches these bumps, it burns.  Now, I am beginning to have pain in my groin area and notice 2 swollen lumps.  From everything I have read, it sounds as if I have herpes, but when I went to the doctor, she told me one of the bumps looked like folliculitus (folliculitis) and the other was sort of suspicious.  I'm awaiting my test results and it could not seem any longer.  I guess what my question is, with the symptoms I've explained, could it be folliculitus (folliculitis)?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the chances of folliculitis after shaving are more rather than herpes which presents as painful itchy blisters which scab over. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.