folliculitus or herpes question

Greetings Doctor,
                   I have another question concearning a group of pimple like bumps.  I have read mony other messages on here about folliculitus (folliculitis), andi think that is what i have, but i wanted your input also.

About 10 to 12 weeks ago I had a pimple like bump above my pubic region.  I let it go for a couple weeks, then i decided to pop it as a pimple.  It was slightly pink, with a almost yellow center but not as yellow as a pimple, almost a fatty  yellow, and it had a slight indentation on the top.  As soon as i popped it, it bled quite a bit, and scabbed over, then slowly went away.  

Before that there were more pimple like places, all above my pubic line.  They are not on top of each other like herpes, but are scattered out.  None are closer that one quater of an inch.  If I do  open one, they are very red, and you can see the yellowish part, but it doesnt allways come out, sometimes it only bleeds.  

There never was or is any itching, or burning, or any pain. I never had a fever, or felt any thing down there before they apeared. I do not know they are even present, unless i look at them.  They seem to be more prominent if i am sweaty.

I was not concearned about it, untill today.  My g/f is aware of the bumps, and this morning she has one in the same place.  Only one.  She was the same as me, no itching, no burning.  She opened it, and its just like mine, the same redness,slight bleeding, with a yellowish center.

With the herpis (herpes) simplex 2 virus, it goes away corect?  I thought the herpis (herpes) went away completly and then would recur about once a month.  I did not think that is what i had because my condition hasnt gotten better, or worse in about 10 to 12 weeks.

Whats your opinion?

Thanks,
Matt
  

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I agree with your analysis and observations--herpes comes and goes.  On the other hand, it would be a lot better if you (and now your girlfriend) stopped opening and popping these bumps, and then showed them to a doctor once so you would know for sure.  Popping folliculitis both perpetuates the spots and makes it harder for a doctor to tell for sure what's going on.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff