Red spots in pubic region? PLEASE HELP, I'm stressing out majorly!

Hello, I am 16 years of age and sexually active. My girlfriend and I have been together for 3 months, best friends for a year before this. We were both virgins up untill we took each other's virginity 4 months ago. We have had unprotected sex since. About 2 months ago I noticed a pimple like formation in my pubic area. Looked and felt like a pimple so I popped it.. pus came out and a "hard"(it is still melleable however it is condensed), white gunk came out which appeared to be black at the tip. This area is now scared. I do shave my pubic region and have now had small bump formations a couple times... I squeezed them and a hair with that same "hard" gunk  has always come out. These bumps usually appear within a week of shaving (just before I need to shave again) or every couple weeks. I am however worried this week because I popped the same pimple-like structure and pus came out however no hair or gunk. The area is very swollen (VERY). The dots are normally skin colour/pink/red in colour however when squeezed this one went darker before popping. They arn't really sore at all. I am worried I may have contracted a skin infection. I don't think it can be an STI since we are both VERY in love and VERY loyal and I have known her closely for over a year and a half. What could this be? I am worried it will infect her so I told her we arn't having intercourse untill I find out. I am stressing and I am scared to go to the doctors and get a bad answer... I also have a history of anxiety so this whole situation is causing me to freak out and I feel ashamed. Please answer quickly.

P.S. I only have these pimple-like formations on my higher up pubic region to base near the penis shaft....nothing on the shaft ever. pus is a white/yellow colour. Could it be just infected ingrown hairs?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to folliculitis or boils. Boil is usually due to plugged sweat glands that become infected or by an ingrown hair. . Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics and warm compresses. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. 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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Dimension_zero]

If it is folliculitis/boils is it safe to have sex or will my partner contract it? Can you give me an example of a topical antisceptic please? As for creams would Hydro Cortisone work? or should I go and get some neosporin. (I also have Bactroban for use on piercings, would this be good to apply as an antibacterial cream?)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Having intercourse can spread the infection but it is not a STD. In most cases of folliculitis and boils, the damaged follicles are infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph). Bacterial skin infections can be spread by shared cosmetics or washcloths, close human contact, or by contact with pus from a boil or carbuncle.

You should not apply a steroid cream like hydrocortisone without your doctor’s prescription. You can however use Bactroban cream since it is an antibiotic cream.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Dimension_zero]

Thank you very much. I see my doctor on tuesday of next week so I hope he will be able to give me a perminant solution for this (since it has happened before then would he prescribe oral meds for prevention?). What are a couple ways of preventing these pesky infections?

P.S. you have brought me great relief in this subject. Thank You.