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)
Question about 'run of the mill' skin condition vs HSV
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.
Question about 'run of the mill' skin condition vs HSV
by petrified, Jul 12, 2006 12:00AM
Dr. Rockoff -
I posted the other day to Dr. Hansfield and in hindsight, probably should have posted here since my condition is more dermatological.
In any case........I've tested negative for all STD's (after 6 months of waiting due to my final condition of Vulvodynia). I have had one potential HSV exposure since all the testing - - multiple episodes of genital opposition - - no vaginal penetration. There were no known lesions on my partners penis and he has not had any "recognizable" symptoms of herpes (believes he is STD free - - although not been tested in a while). So, I know I had minimal HSV risk...but because of other skin conditions, I get concerned more than the "normal" person.
So, here are my questions:
(1) Since I have Keratosis Pilaris (on my buttocks) that at times can get inflammed, I was wondering if there is an "easy" way for a lay person to tell the difference between KP and the begining of an HSV outbreak. To date, I just wait 48 hours to see if it develops into anyting else. To date, nothing has ever developed further and the inflammed KP usually goes away within 3 days.
(2) I have had a very general itch in my pubic area since trimming the hair (this is the first time I have ever done this - and I did it while I was dry). Is this a normal reaction to trimming hair? It's been about 5 days, and I still have a very mild itch....nothing is red (unless I scratch). I have put vagisil in the area just to numb the itch sensation. I've also applied lotion to see if it's just due to dry skin. Any thoughts/recommendations of how to make the itch go away? From one of your previous posts, you indicated that your HSV patients complain of soreness not just an itch. Am I safe to assume since I've only had itchiness in this area....it's just an itch? (Perhaps psychosomatic).
(3) I was also diagnosed with Lichen Simplex Chronicus on my vulva............they biopsied and came back negative to all strains of HPV and fungus. I used clobetesol and the doctor said the area looked much better. Strange part - - I was never itchy.........I had very generalized burning sensation. I don't think this is normal for LSC - - however, my doctor was convinced that was it due to the biopsy (biopsy results said "similar to Lichen Simplex Chronicus"). Just curious what your experience has been with LSC.
(4) I have had a rash that has come and gone over a period of 6 months...it looks like "cat scratches" and it appears on my trunk, arms, legs, back. I am now being tested for an auto-immune disease. Any thoughts of furhter testing I can do?
So..........as you can see, I have VERY sensitive skin! (Just for further information, I am white, fair skinned and in my late 30's and had a terrible vaginal delivery that led to 2 episotomies - - hence the "sensitive" vulva).
Thanks for your assistance. Regards,.,
I posted the other day to Dr. Hansfield and in hindsight, probably should have posted here since my condition is more dermatological.
In any case........I've tested negative for all STD's (after 6 months of waiting due to my final condition of Vulvodynia). I have had one potential HSV exposure since all the testing - - multiple episodes of genital opposition - - no vaginal penetration. There were no known lesions on my partners penis and he has not had any "recognizable" symptoms of herpes (believes he is STD free - - although not been tested in a while). So, I know I had minimal HSV risk...but because of other skin conditions, I get concerned more than the "normal" person.
So, here are my questions:
(1) Since I have Keratosis Pilaris (on my buttocks) that at times can get inflammed, I was wondering if there is an "easy" way for a lay person to tell the difference between KP and the begining of an HSV outbreak. To date, I just wait 48 hours to see if it develops into anyting else. To date, nothing has ever developed further and the inflammed KP usually goes away within 3 days.
(2) I have had a very general itch in my pubic area since trimming the hair (this is the first time I have ever done this - and I did it while I was dry). Is this a normal reaction to trimming hair? It's been about 5 days, and I still have a very mild itch....nothing is red (unless I scratch). I have put vagisil in the area just to numb the itch sensation. I've also applied lotion to see if it's just due to dry skin. Any thoughts/recommendations of how to make the itch go away? From one of your previous posts, you indicated that your HSV patients complain of soreness not just an itch. Am I safe to assume since I've only had itchiness in this area....it's just an itch? (Perhaps psychosomatic).
(3) I was also diagnosed with Lichen Simplex Chronicus on my vulva............they biopsied and came back negative to all strains of HPV and fungus. I used clobetesol and the doctor said the area looked much better. Strange part - - I was never itchy.........I had very generalized burning sensation. I don't think this is normal for LSC - - however, my doctor was convinced that was it due to the biopsy (biopsy results said "similar to Lichen Simplex Chronicus"). Just curious what your experience has been with LSC.
(4) I have had a rash that has come and gone over a period of 6 months...it looks like "cat scratches" and it appears on my trunk, arms, legs, back. I am now being tested for an auto-immune disease. Any thoughts of furhter testing I can do?
So..........as you can see, I have VERY sensitive skin! (Just for further information, I am white, fair skinned and in my late 30's and had a terrible vaginal delivery that led to 2 episotomies - - hence the "sensitive" vulva).
Thanks for your assistance. Regards,.,
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 13, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 13, 2006 12:00AM
(1) Since I have Keratosis Pilaris (on my buttocks) that at times can get inflammed, I was wondering if there is an "easy" way for a lay person to tell the difference between KP and the begining of an HSV outbreak. To date, I just wait 48 hours to see if it develops into anyting else. To date, nothing has ever developed further and the inflammed KP usually goes away within 3 days.
Keratosis pilaris looks nothing like herpes. But you can't diagnose yourself. You'll need to not scratch so as not to confuse the appearance, and to seee a skin doctor in person.
(2) I have had a very general itch in my pubic area since trimming the hair (this is the first time I have ever done this - and I did it while I was dry). Is this a normal reaction to trimming hair? It's been about 5 days, and I still have a very mild itch....nothing is red (unless I scratch). I have put vagisil in the area just to numb the itch sensation. I've also applied lotion to see if it's just due to dry skin. Any thoughts/recommendations of how to make the itch go away? From one of your previous posts, you indicated that your HSV patients complain of soreness not just an itch. Am I safe to assume since I've only had itchiness in this area....it's just an itch? (Perhaps psychosomatic).
I can't answer without seeing you. What you describe sounds like itch, not herpes or an STD.
(3) I was also diagnosed with Lichen Simplex Chronicus on my vulva............they biopsied and came back negative to all strains of HPV and fungus. I used clobetesol and the doctor said the area looked much better. Strange part - - I was never itchy.........I had very generalized burning sensation. I don't think this is normal for LSC - - however, my doctor was convinced that was it due to the biopsy (biopsy results said "similar to Lichen Simplex Chronicus"). Just curious what your experience has been with LSC.
My experience with LSC is that it itches and causes thickened skin. Clobetasol is too strong for chronic use on the vulva. Generalized burning suggests not LSC but anxiety.
(4) I have had a rash that has come and gone over a period of 6 months...it looks like "cat scratches" and it appears on my trunk, arms, legs, back. I am now being tested for an auto-immune disease. Any thoughts of furhter testing I can do?
Without seeing you, I have no idea.
You need to get past these anxieties, which cannot be diagnosed remotely. First, learn that you're OK, then get whatever help you need to deal with your fears. Otherwise, you will just drive yourself crazy over-interpreting sensations and appearances.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Keratosis pilaris looks nothing like herpes. But you can't diagnose yourself. You'll need to not scratch so as not to confuse the appearance, and to seee a skin doctor in person.
(2) I have had a very general itch in my pubic area since trimming the hair (this is the first time I have ever done this - and I did it while I was dry). Is this a normal reaction to trimming hair? It's been about 5 days, and I still have a very mild itch....nothing is red (unless I scratch). I have put vagisil in the area just to numb the itch sensation. I've also applied lotion to see if it's just due to dry skin. Any thoughts/recommendations of how to make the itch go away? From one of your previous posts, you indicated that your HSV patients complain of soreness not just an itch. Am I safe to assume since I've only had itchiness in this area....it's just an itch? (Perhaps psychosomatic).
I can't answer without seeing you. What you describe sounds like itch, not herpes or an STD.
(3) I was also diagnosed with Lichen Simplex Chronicus on my vulva............they biopsied and came back negative to all strains of HPV and fungus. I used clobetesol and the doctor said the area looked much better. Strange part - - I was never itchy.........I had very generalized burning sensation. I don't think this is normal for LSC - - however, my doctor was convinced that was it due to the biopsy (biopsy results said "similar to Lichen Simplex Chronicus"). Just curious what your experience has been with LSC.
My experience with LSC is that it itches and causes thickened skin. Clobetasol is too strong for chronic use on the vulva. Generalized burning suggests not LSC but anxiety.
(4) I have had a rash that has come and gone over a period of 6 months...it looks like "cat scratches" and it appears on my trunk, arms, legs, back. I am now being tested for an auto-immune disease. Any thoughts of furhter testing I can do?
Without seeing you, I have no idea.
You need to get past these anxieties, which cannot be diagnosed remotely. First, learn that you're OK, then get whatever help you need to deal with your fears. Otherwise, you will just drive yourself crazy over-interpreting sensations and appearances.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
