Skin pain under pubic hair w/ white bumps?

[Suzie J]

I have had very little sexual activity in the last year and no intercourse, until this last Tuesday. I had unprotected sex last Tuesday night. By Wednesday afternoon there was much burning/itching under my pubic hair and the skin was irritated and red. By Thursday morning there was a small outbreak of white bumps, resembling pimples. There was approximately 5-8 of these bumps, some clustered and others separate throughout the area under my pubic hair. I went to my gynecologist. He said the outbreak did not look like a typical herpes case or any other STD he was familiar with. However, he was unable to suggest any other causes. He poked one of the lesions and swabbed it to be tested for Herpes and also prescribed Valtrax to be taken just in case the test were to come back positive. The next few days were very painful...much burning throbbing, and itching in the area. Hot baths, which were recommended by my doc., seem to inflame the irritation. It has been six days since the unprotected sex. I have finished the 5-day Valtrax prescription. The white heads have gone now leaving small red scabs, but the throbbing/burning remains and some of the redness as well. Also, some itching in the actual vagina has become present and a very small amount of discharge. I have not heard back about the results of the Herpes test. Considering how quickly the symptoms began after the contact, the redness, and the severe pain, Herpes does seem possible. However, I did not have a fever, any blisters, or swollen glands. Could there be any other explanation for this breakout? Are there any other conditions transmitted sexually that can cause the nagging burning and the redness of the skin? If the results of the Herpes test come back negative/positive how can I begin to ease the discomfort?
Also, I performed oral sex on my partner. If he did have Herpes, have I gotten the virus orally as well?
This is a very emotional and painful experience. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The incubation period for an initial attack of herpes is 3-5 days.  Herpes blisters look at first like yellowish pimples, and are clustered together in a small area.  Initial herpes attacks usually bring high fevers and painful, swollen glands in the groin.

Your condition therefore does not sound like herpes, which apparently was also your gynecologist's opinion.  I'm really at a loss to speculate about what it actually is, however--perhaps an allergic reaction to a spermicide or lubricant.

I wouldn't worry about the oral aspect, unless you get blisters in that area.

My advice is to check with the gynecologist to confirm that your herpes culture is negative, and then to consult a skin doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment if the symptoms persist.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Rosiejean]

I hav had the same problems It started when I used a cheap panty liner and I stated itching on the lip. Every month I get the problem but this month I notices a few pimple like things so I called my doctor and she thought it might be herpes. I was scared, I've been married for five years and he gets cold sores, well I figured I got them during oral sex. I went to the doctor and she said it looked like folloculitis, but I insisted she ran the herpes test anyways and I haven't heard back yet. I am scared I don't know whats going on. She told me to take hot baths, not to wear tight clothes but it doesn't seem to be helping at all. So good luck and please keep me posted!!

[Lucy4]

Wondering if you ever found out what the little bumps were?  I'm experiencing the same exact issue and it has been going on for about 3 months.....  I scratch them, they open, bleed and then scab up..   I have not seen my doctor because I just figured it was falliculitis or something having to do with the hair follicle...  please let me know if you have any more information and/or if you've found anything to make them go away.

Thanks....

[Suzie J]

Thank you doc. I apologize as I know you are a dermatologist not an STD clinician. There just wasn't anyone to talk to or ask questions and I thought on the chance that you had seen/heard of something similar...I have received my results and all STD tests (including Herpes) were negative. Although, I don't feel like I'm completely out of the woods, I am, of course, feeling some relief. I would like to offer a bit of advice to all readers: PROTECT YOURSELVES!! and question your partner about their sexual history before you put yourself at risk! This has been the hardest and most traumatic experience of my life: unsafe sex just isn't worth it! Thank you.