herpes?

[troubled30]

I'm worried about herpes.  First, I haven't been with anybody in a very long time(>3 years)but didn't always use protection when I was; I haven't really had any problems until now.  I masturbate(used to) probably more than I should-at least daily.  Anyway, I usually use a lotion; have for years, no changes.  I don't always shower afterwards.  About 1 month ago, I noticed that the skin on my scrotum seemed really dry; then it sort of started shedding with normal skin underneath-no pain, no itch, nothing, just dry peeling skin.  Then same thing happened to my penis about 1 day later.  Like an idiot I masturbated while this was happening with the same stuff.  The next few days, the skin got worse.  I stopped masturbating for about 1 week.  Things got a better but still felt weird (no blisters or anything, though).  Then, I tried mast. again, using the same lotion and didn't shower afterwards.  About 2-3 hours later, started to itch a lot. Finally showered.  A couple of days later, the area was peeling again.  One area was raw.  For about a week after, it felt really uncomfortable - a little burning, itching, and some sharp pains in my groin.  I saw my PMD, who thought it might be fungal and gave me some Lotrisone.  I used it for 10 days with mild improvement.  So now it's been a month since the first time I noticed something weird.  The area looks okay and overall things are better, but it still...hurts kinda'.  It feels sore occasionally and a burns a bit(only on the skin).  I never saw blisters(I freaked out and looked for pictures on the web to see what they looked like) or scabs (that one raw area heeled (< 3mm size)).  Have NOT used the same lotion since, have masturbated only once since(about 3 days ago).  I still get these sharp pains in my groin that last for about 5 seconds, then go away.  No tingling, no discharge, no pain when I urinate. The skin looks okay as far as I can tell.  Could this be herpes?  If you read the websites, they say herpes can be almost anything and you can have your first outbreak years after exposure.  Like I said, I haven't really had this problem before, and haven't been with anyone in over 3 years, but am worried that it might be herpes.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you have eczema, which does all the things you list.  Allergy to lotion is possible in theory, but rare in practice (I've never seen a bona fide case.)  I can't explain why it would begin now, but the winter makes eczema flare (cold, low humidity, etc.)  Lotrisone would help because of the steroid component, not the antifungal, but the steroid is too strong for regular use in the groin.

I advise you to use 1% hydrocortisone (OTC) twice daily plus any bland moisture lotion on top of it.  Minimize friction, masturbation-related or otherwise, and se a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.  But herpes and STD's aren't even on the bottom of my list.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[CRAZY BRAIN]

This is Exactly why people like ASHA and Terrie Warren need to clarify what Herpes is. Not just base all these facts on small studies. Making Herpes appear to be the most amorphous thing on the planet is silly, and they know this. They are not telling you what is common in almost all cases of herpes. Ask them why? Why do they not tell you the one thing that happens 99% of the time? Why?

[veryconcerned123]

What is the one thing that happens 99% of the time? Is it blisters? Tell us.

[CRAZY BRAIN]

ask TERRI WARREN

[veryconcerned123]

I don't to ask her. I want to know from you. I also don't buy into this every little bump etc is herpes.

They make you feel as though everyone has it.

[t1234]

angela437737  You're right. However if everyone was
tested you would find that 30 per cent of white women
are sero positive to anti-bodies and 45-50 per cent of black women.

If everyone was tested I think you would have so many
shocked people a revolt against testing would occur.  What's
the point in testing for a disease that a large percentage
of the population is positive for, but without symptoms or
need of treatment.  

Unless of course antivirals were prescribed to this group
with the objective of preventing transmission.  In that
case the drug companies would have a bigger market than
the one for viagra.

Note: I'm talking about sub-clinical or asymptomatic people.
In some people herpes can be a real problem and with HIV infected people if they have herpes outbreaks (ulcerated sores) it can be a means of HIV transmission--But HIV is a special case with its own issues. Only a small portion of the population who are Herpes infected (defined as being sero positive) actually have any symptoms or even know they are sero
positive.