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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
What can this be?
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.
What can this be?
by swatelite, Apr 21, 2004 12:00AM
I guess it’s folliculitis season again?
First of all, it’s getting a little warmer where I live; this morning I noticed a red pimple looking thing in my public groin area. It’s on my pubic area near my left leg/thigh (but not on the thigh, it’s on my public groin area). It’s hidden near an area between my public region and my thigh. But I noticed it cause it feels like a pimple/acne. So I took a look at it and it looked like there were a few hair follicules coming out of the pimple. No itching, just irritation and redness surrounding it. Now I’ve had what’s been diagnosed as folliculitis before (last summer), but it was in another region of the pubic hair. I haven’t had folliculitis since last summer. I didn’t have it during the winter.
So here are my paranoid questions:
1) Is this herpes? I can’t think of a reason it would be because I haven’t been sexually active recently at all. I hear rumors that you can get herpes from toilet bowls/seats and I use public bathrooms a lot. Some companies that sell toilet seat covers say herpes can live “hours” on toilet bowls/seats. Great. While we’re on the subject, how long can other STDS (Warts, HIV/AIDS, Gonheria live in the environment- i.e. toilets, table tops, etc. – there is a lot of misinformation out there)
2) If this is folliculitis, why does one get it? And how can it be prevented? More specifically, if it is folliculitis how can I treat it? (Brand names would help).
I plan on visiting my dermatologist in a few weeks, but your help in the interim will be very helpful.
Thanks.
First of all, it’s getting a little warmer where I live; this morning I noticed a red pimple looking thing in my public groin area. It’s on my pubic area near my left leg/thigh (but not on the thigh, it’s on my public groin area). It’s hidden near an area between my public region and my thigh. But I noticed it cause it feels like a pimple/acne. So I took a look at it and it looked like there were a few hair follicules coming out of the pimple. No itching, just irritation and redness surrounding it. Now I’ve had what’s been diagnosed as folliculitis before (last summer), but it was in another region of the pubic hair. I haven’t had folliculitis since last summer. I didn’t have it during the winter.
So here are my paranoid questions:
1) Is this herpes? I can’t think of a reason it would be because I haven’t been sexually active recently at all. I hear rumors that you can get herpes from toilet bowls/seats and I use public bathrooms a lot. Some companies that sell toilet seat covers say herpes can live “hours” on toilet bowls/seats. Great. While we’re on the subject, how long can other STDS (Warts, HIV/AIDS, Gonheria live in the environment- i.e. toilets, table tops, etc. – there is a lot of misinformation out there)
2) If this is folliculitis, why does one get it? And how can it be prevented? More specifically, if it is folliculitis how can I treat it? (Brand names would help).
I plan on visiting my dermatologist in a few weeks, but your help in the interim will be very helpful.
Thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Apr 22, 2004 12:00AM
, Apr 22, 2004 12:00AM
A single pimple doesn't sound like herpes. If it is folliculitis, as is most likely the case, I don't know how one gets it--it just comes. It can't be prevented. Putting on an antibiotic like bacitracin may help. Squeezing should be avoided.
Although viruses can live on surfaces like toilet seats for some period of time, it's uncommon to get them transmitted that way.
Your dermatologist can fill you in with more details when you go, but I don't think you'll learn anything bad.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Although viruses can live on surfaces like toilet seats for some period of time, it's uncommon to get them transmitted that way.
Your dermatologist can fill you in with more details when you go, but I don't think you'll learn anything bad.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by swatelite, Apr 22, 2004 12:00AM
It looks like one pimple, although it is admittedly in an area I can't see very well. Here's more details: doesn't itch, and I do sweat a lot down there. It also doesn't hurt. So... same prognosis? I also won't be able to see the demotogologist for atleast two weeks, so it may not even be there then.
