Warts, Herpes, Normal Skin

Doctor, thank you as always for your time and consideration. I am a overly worried 24 yr old male that has self diagnosed myself with hypochondria and paranoia over STD's. I previously had molluscum yrs ago with no recurrence after that time thus beginning my fear.

I am currently experiencing a spot on the underside shaft of my penis. Its hard to describe but would be best described as a circular spot with a very rough border. This spot is small and probably no larger than a mm or 2 in diameter. The spot appears to have a border. The spot when flacid just looks like a skin fold it is in the region of the penis where the skin bunches up. It is slightly off colored and slightly darker than the rest of the skin in that area. When erect the spot is hardly visible and if stretched out the spot looks like it will almost dissapere but looks as if it may be slightly rough skin. I can not see any bump or crater, to me it looks almost like flat skin, and when streched still looks like flat skin, and dont think I can feel anything with my finger running across it, if anything a very very faint raise but not sure could be mental.

I have had this spot for 8 days now, always appeared the same no change no crusting, blistering etc. about a 2 weeks ago I received a similar spot after masturbating that turned into a scab and I picked the scab off to reveal pink skin underneath. This entire process healed in about 3 days. I cant remember where that one was located was on the same side on the underside in the general region but may not be the same location. The spots looked similar but not exactly the same, and this one never scabbed or anything like that and is not visibly raised.

This type of behavior has led to overexamination of my genital region for abnormalities, which is certainly stressful. I have done some things in the past that have not been smart, including unprotected sex on a routine basis with my ex significant other. She never had any symptoms of any diseases and I never had anything while with her. I have not had sex with that partner since april, and have only had sex with 2 people protected for a total of 3 encounters since then.


My concern now is herpes and warts.

Do you think this sounds like it could be either Herpes or HPV?

Does HPV react in this way, is this a typical presentation of symptomatic HPV? or herpes?

Do genital warts have an obvious bump or raised appearance?

Could this be a scar from the incident that I assumed was due to non lubricated Masturbation?

This is a very serious matter to me, I get ill feeling, have high anxiety, and can not focus at work or in my everyday life.
If this turns out to be a genital wart what can I expect, will I infact have the disease forever or is it similar to molluscum in that once the warts are gone and do not return the virus is gone?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

As best I can tell, what you have is a scab from irritation and picking.  It doesn't sound like herpes or a wart.  Please leave it alone and show it to a doctor.  Then, when you find out it's nothing, avoid unsafe sex and look into the counseling you may need to keep your anxiety under control.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Englishman]

The closer you look at skin, the more imperfections you will see. Don't look too close. No offence, but I think you need psychological counselling. Best of luck.

[scaredcmd]

Doc, just a quick follow up I went to the local Health County Dept's STD clinic today for a check. THe doc there had me show him where the spot was and used a magnifying glass to look at the spot. I think I showed him the right spot and he said there is nothing wrong it is normal skin with a possible pigment change like a freckle.

Now I am worried that I did not point out the right spot there are several normal skin looking spots then the one that looks slightly raised in the area. Do you think the doctor would have examined the skin around the spot I pointed to as well to make sure there were no other potential warts. I hope so. Doc said there is absolutely no sign of a wart when I pointed to.

Not sure if the standard practice would be to check just the spot the patient shows you or the areas around the spot. Thanks again doctor for the amazing service you provide.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You need to take yes for an answer, my friend.  I'm confident that the doctor you saw looked at what needed to be looked at.  If you can't convince yourself of that, go again.  Then take my and Englishman's advice.

Dr. Rockoff

[Simply John]

I have had a skin rash on my penis for about six months and it has made me into a self-diagnosed hypocondriac. The rash started out on the side of my penile shaft then spread around in the penis, my ankles, my forearms, and chest. I went to the doctor when the rash first appeared and they said it didn't look like and STD, especially not herpes seeing as the spot would be watery or puss filled, and tested negative for the rest. They put me on anti-fungal cream which did not work and treated me as though it were syhpilis which also did not help. My question is do I have symptoms of herpes?

[Pordenone2k6]

To the last poster, i am not doc but i do plenty of research what you are describing does not sound like herpes...

[theta]

I have a little white bump on my upper lip. I am 19 years old and take vitamins everyday(for the most part). I have been sick for about 3 weeks with kind of a sore throat. I am just wondering if this small white bump is a wart or something else. I have had oral sex in the 2-3weeks but the person did not have warts to my knowledge.

[theta]

I still have the small white bump on my lip. I am now wondering what exactly could it be. Since oral warts are rare(even though i think it is)what else could it possible be to remain there for so long?