Nutrition Health Chat: Tuesday, Dec. 8th, 5-6 PM Eastern. Learn how vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients affect your health. Free live Q&A. Join us!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Itching red spots
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.
Itching red spots
by Percival35, Jan 26, 2009 11:52PM
1 year ago I regularly had unprotected sex with a previous girlfriend. Directly after intercourse on one occasion, a large number of small, round red dots (diamater of the sharp end of a pen) spread evenly across the head of my penis (uncircumcized). Very slightly raised and went away in a couple of days. We immediately tested for all common STDs. She was negative on everything. I was positive on HSV 1 & 2 IGM antibodies. Report said this could be due to cross-reaction of antibodies (have previously had the odd fever blister on my lip and one developed on my lip a few days after the blood test). Subsequent IGG antibody testing 3 months later was positive for HSV 1 and negative for HSV 2. The urologist said I was probably okay. Since then, I have had a patch of redness on the top side of my penis glans. Seems almost like a dormant skin problem (I feel maybe related to the issue above). 1 year later I have a new girlfriend. We had unprotected sex 3-4 weeks ago on a few occasions. Two days after a contact, I noticed tingling and itching on my penis, scrotum and groin. 4 days later (6 days after sexual contact), I noticed about 4-6 red spots (somewhat similar to before) at the tip of my penis. This time itchy. Had another blood test - again positive for HSV 1/2 IGM (combination), and negative for HSV-2 IGG. I asked for the test to be 'typed' for 1 & 2. Report came back saying negative this time for 1 & 2 (IFA), saying: "elevated titers to both HSV 1 & HSV 2 may represent cross-reactive HSV antibodies rather than exposure to both HSV 1 and HSV 2." Infectious disease doctor doesn’t think it is HSV, but has not seen the pronounced spots (spots and itchiness come and go – more pronounced after an erection). No fluid, bursting, bleeding, etc. Look like small welts - a bit bigger than the size of a dot you would make with a pen, with a mild red rash on the top side half of the penis. Could it be Herpes, Molluscum Contaigiosum, Psoriasis, Scabies, or another condition?
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 27, 2009 05:35AM
, Jan 27, 2009 05:35AMTo: Percoval35
No, it doesn't sound like any of those. It does sound like irritation, nothing more. The blood tests re all consistent with your not having herpes. 1% hydrocortisone and good lubrication during sex should suffice. You might want to consult a skin doctor. One visit should do. Bringing crisp digital photos to the visit may help, in case the rash is not fully present when you go.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
