Question about bumps/dots on penis

I am a male in my mid-20s. I noticed on Sunday afternoon that I had a series of red dots on the head of my penis and under my foreskin. I freaked out, showered and applied hydrocorstisone to the affected area. I have been to see the doctor and have gotten a blood test, but I’m going crazy wondering if this is herpes.

I am seeing one girl casually, but we always use condoms. Two weeks before I noticed the spots, I had casual sex with another girl, and also used a condom. A few days later, I started to get what I thought was a throat infection, for which I took antibiotics. I had no fever, no body ache, no chills and no discharge. Also, I have experienced no pain, itching or discomfort. After about a day or two, the dots on my penis were no longer red, but remain if you look closely.

I had sex with the first girl the night before I found the bumps (also with a condom), but did not shower off the lubricant/spermicide off until about 4 that day. Could these dots be some kind of reaction to the spermicide? Is there any chance this is not herpes?

Thanks for your help, I’m going insane,

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum!

based on your description, it does not sound like herpes simplex but it is good that you were tested to investigate and exclude that possibility.

Two main things to look into are: skin drug reaction (you were taking medications for that “throat infection”) and contact dermatitis (prolonged contact with components of condom).  

However, only after detailed medical history and examination (in addition to results of diagnostic tests) final diagnosis can be provided by your physician.

Wishing You Optimal Health,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic