i have a red lump....but my boyfriend has one too?

[lattelatte]

okay, i noticed about two days after shaving that i have a bump on the lip of my vigina, it feels sore and more so when i touch it. it's bright red and not huge, but not very small either, i thought it would just be from shaving? i used a different razor and i was going quick. but last night after my boyfriend and i finished having sex he came back from the bathroom and showed me a red bump on his penis that looks alot like mine. he thinks his is a spider bite & i didnt tell him about mine yet. is this herpies? i really didnt think so because i have no other symptoms and when i went to the doctor about 3 weeks ago i got tested for all of that and came back clean. so i am very confused. help! please.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like a boil. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. Bacterial skin infections can be spread by shared cosmetics or washcloths, close human contact, or by contact with pus from a boil or carbuncle.

Apply warm compresses on the boil and keep the area clean. Drainage of the boil is done only when it becomes soft and forms a head. Take some over the counter pain reliever and consult a doctor for examination and antibiotics prescription. Till then wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Topical antibiotics such as Neosporin are very useful.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[firejillie]

Do you have sensitive skin? Have you ever had an ingrown hair before? That's what your sounds like to me. I get them every month or so myself. I would be much more concerned about his. Use condoms for now. Make him get tested. I know you probably love and trust him, but there's always at least a remote chance that he's had another partner. Just don't take that risk!