Molluscum contagiosum, Herpes, or Genital Warts

[GmanT]

A year ago I noticed bumps around the base of my penis that looked like shaving rash. I had a PA-C in a dermatologists office look at them. She told me I had Molluscum contagiosum, she gave me aldara, told me to stop shaving and two months later I went back and she froze what was left and I continued on the aldara. I didn’t completely stop shaving but stopped for the most part. I figured I could just buy Freeze Off and freeze the remaining warts myself. The next day my testicles were very irritated so I went back to her, told her what I did and she told me I had herpes. She took a culture and it came back negative, and I also had another place take a culture and that came back negative. The second place (Planned Parenthood) said it was probably just an infection.  So six month later I still had a few bumps I figured it was either the Molluscum contagiosum or skin folds from scaring. I have skin folds under my arm and one on my chest. She told me it was genital warts. Could she confuse Molluscum contagiosum with genital warts, or could it be something else. She froze them off and gave me more aldara and also froze the skin fold under my arm. Should I get a second opinion from a person with a PHD? I’m just not sure because when she said I hade herpes, I asked if it could be something else, and she said no she sees it all the time. She gave me the same story for the genital herpes. What are your opinions?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Your story doesn't make a lot of sense.  Molluscum and herpes don't look anything like each other.  I suggest you see an M.D. dermatologist (perhaps the one who employs the PA), and suggest a possible herpes 2 blood test.  A negative one would go a long way to reassuring you and clarifying th situation.  Your description does not sound like herpes (and the culture was negative.)  Ask the dermatologist.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[GmanT]

My question was whether or not you thought i had genital warts or Mulloscum

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

If they were any kind of wart, they would be molluscum.  Who said they were genital warts?  The PA said herpes.

Only someone who sees you in person can render a specific diagnosis.

Dr. Rockoff

[curious_george_81]

I and others have experienced issues with Aldara before where it causes pain. Since the lotion is super potent, it's easy to get it on your testicles and it will cause burning. Did the burning go away after you stopped using the Aldara?

[Bhagvan]

A related discussion, Molluscum Contagiosum was started.