herpes, something else?

Doctor,

I am hoping for some help. I am a 25 year old male. In the past month I've begun having sex fairly regularly (and vigorously) with my new girlfriend. It had been a couple years since I'd had such a regular amount of intercourse. We always, always use protection.

About a week ago I was showering and, while washing, felt a noticeable bump (probably a few millimeters in diameter) in the hair of my pubic region. NOT on my penis, but about an inch above in the thick in my pubic hair. It was red and I know I should have left it alone but my obsessive compulsiveness over came me and I squeezed it a bit. It popped and proceeded to bleed for a few minutes (I was suprised by how much blood came out). Since then it has begun to heal, although it is taking awhile (over a week). I can see a pubic hair coming out of where the bump was and where it's now scabbing over, but the hair is not in the exact center. I'm not sure the length of time taking it to heal is helped by the fact that I live in a tropical climate where it is always hot and I often go swimming in the ocean. While it was a bit sore after I popped the bump,it doesn't feel like much now.

Anyways, I'm freaking out- is this herpes? It wasn't on my penis, and it was just one bump and not a cluster, and it bled. Is it something else? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, it doesn't sound anything like herpes.  It sounds like a blocked follicle.  Please leave it alone and apply some bacitracin once or twice a day, which should take care of it.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[abroadandscared]

sorry-- probably doesn't make a difference but i wanted to add that where the bump was is now a clear circular crater and doesn't look like the pictures of herpes sores i've seen. thanks.

[Englishman]

It could be molluscum, infected hair follicle, insect bite. Did you notice a white hardish core (almost like wax). I have molluscum and thats how they appear to me (white/reddish spot, bleeds intensely when popped, hardish white core inside). Even if it is, it is not serious, just a hassle that goes away over several months. Best of luck.