herpes question

About 4 years ago, while dating a girl, a small irregular bump appeared on the underside of my penis. There was no cluster of blisters, just a bump that became inflamed, lasted about 3 weeks and went away. Actually the bump got smaller and almost went away, but you could still see where it had been.  In mid Jan. 04, this bump reappeared(became swollen). Once again, no blister, no pain, but slightly inflamed. This time though it hung around for four months. Also about 1 month ago a very small sore apppeard about 1 inch away from this bump. It is not a blister. It looks like a small flat pimple or gland that is infected. could this be a reoccuring herpes infection.It has hung around for the last month. I had My family doctor look at this last sore. I asked him to perform a herpes test. He said that would be a waste of time because it was not herpes. He gave me a steroid creme that has not helped at all. He did not examine me very closely however. This is really worrying me. These sore are not painful they just wont go away. Please share you thoughts as to what this may be

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think this is folliculitis (a blocked pore), not herpes.  Since you were not reassured by your doctor's (probably correct) assessment, you should get another opinion, and, if your doctor feels it's appropriate or you continue to be worried), get a herpes blood test just for confirmation.  Meantime, don't squeeze, manipulate, or examine the area closely so the new opinion, if you get one, is reliable.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[lil_red]

I'm a 21 year old female. I really don't think this is herpes, but last year i had two ingrown hairs that occured, and i ended up having to go to the doctor to get them cut open, and packed. Now, i have some red bumps on my butt. There's one big one that has some scard tissue around it and then i have 3 more that are smaller. They sit right in the line of my underwear. I was wondering if they could be a sign of herpes, or just some boils? The reason why i might think that they are boils, is because lately i have been outside in the heat playing softball. So i didn't know if the swetting could have anything to do with it. What should i do now since the big one has scard tissue around it?