boils or herpies(herpes)

[issabella]

I have been a monogamous relationship for almost 2 years. About 2 weeks ago I woke up and felt an itchy hard round bump about 2 inches above the crack of my butt. I scratched  it and thought it was a mosquito bite i did not look at it due to the location showered and went to work. No problems 24 /48 hours later I tried to find the bite I don't really remember feeling any discomfort I was just curious. was shocked to see a large red area with puss coming out of the center. I immediately used alcohol and peroxide and thought it would go away. It didn't and continued to ooze. At the time I tried Band-Aids and tried to keep it clean. But it didn't go away I then tried antibac cream and it got better but then started up again.less oozie but redder and got wider. The entire area around the soar got inflamed and red and slightly raised as though the infection was spreading. it maintained this level and I
decided to go to the skin doctor. My regular one was on vacation his sub took a look and said it might be herpes and said I could have gotten it from a toilet seat or if someone who had a cold-soar kissed me there. he said he wasn't sure if it was the sexual kind or not and took a culture. I was shocked and asked if I should have sex he said well use a condom and put a bans-id over the soar. He didn't even indicate that I should tell my boyfriend so I wouldn't ruin valentines day.He gave me medication and i asked if it was an anti biotic and he said sort of.

I told my boyfriend and we are both very puzzled and depressed. I decided to start antibiotics on my own and do an anti-boil proceedures. Such as heat and packing the wound for drainage. My soar had started developing little red lines and I am nervious. Today I have taken 1and 1/2 days worth of antibiotics and see improvement along with the hot compresses.I know boils are caused by sometimes by not great hygiene and I do have to admit that mine needed improvement. Showers instead of bath and rigerous toweling. I also have a bowel problem that makes me go to the bathroom alot and I may have not wiped perfectly.

I believe I have a boil not Herpies (herpes) what do you think?
Thanks!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This sounds like a boil, not like herpes.  The treatment should be warm compresses and topical and oral antibiotics.  Please find out what the culture showed (bacteria, or viruses, if they were looked for), and go from there.  By the way, boils do not come from poor hygiene, despite their reputation.  Bacteria live in the vicinity and flare up from time to time.  Please check with your skin doctor (your regular one, perhaps . . .)

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[issabella]

you were correct doctor it was a boil and i wanted to thank you so much!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You're welcome.  Thanks for the follow-up.

Dr. Rockoff

[Mike83]

I recently discoverd three dots on the side of my penis. and 3 near by. Im afraid it might be herpies (herpes) but i havent had sex with anyone for like 5 months and i didint have sexual contact for like 2 months. They just appeard. They look like little dots with like white tiny dot. could you help me figure what it is?