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molluscum, folliculitis, or other?

Hello,

I apologize beforehand for the length.

About 35 - 40 days ago, I discovered two pink-reddish bumps approx. 2-3 mm in diameter hidden in my pubic hair just above the shaft of my penis.  I have had minor problems with jock itch/folliculitis once in the past, and already had a prescription for Bactroban, although these painless, itchless, raised bumps were not centered on hair follicules.  I thought little of these bumps, and continued to have sex with my girlfriend (with whom I've been with for approx four months).  Occasionally, after vigorous sex, these bumps would turn slightly more red and itchy, although they never seemed to grow or change shape.  I've been maintaining a long-distance relationship for the past 30 days, and have had no other sexual contact.  About 21 days ago, I noticed that smaller, non-raised red-spots as well as a smaller number of raised flesh bumps began to appear higher in my pubic region, still underneath my pubic hair.  These were accompanied by an infrequent, mild itch.  I then started using the Bactroban, thinking it was a mild folliculitis.  The Bactorban eased the itching slightly, but had little other affect.

I've now been to two general practitioners.  The first concluded it was folliculitis without a particularly close examination.  She prescribed Keflex, which I intentionally did not take.  The next day, I went to another general practitioner, more experienced with men's health.  After a close examination with a magnifying glass and a long period scratching his head with a slightly dumbfounded expression, he concluded that it was molluscum.  He then proceeded to burn off the most noticeable bumps with liquid N2.  This was 7 days ago.  This same day, I stopped using the Bactroban.  He also gave me a prescription for Aldara cream.

Since the second doctor burned out my "molluscum," I have had an almost immediate spread of red spots (not attributable to the burning, as well as increased itching (expected).  I commenced using the Bactroban three days ago, and have since noticed a slight decrease in itching as well as a slightly limiting affect on the redness of the new outbreaks.  

Here are my questions/concerns:
1) About 30% of these red spots/bumps are centered on hair follicles, and the remaining 70% are not.

2) These bumps are not large, and I could/can discern no dimple/umbilication at the center of the bumps, making me question the diagnosis of molluscum (I also don't have a magnifying glass).

If it's not molluscum, then perhaps I have a form of folliculitis.  Why then, are the majority of the papules not centered on visible hair follicles?  Are there other possible explanations?  Can I have "folliculitis" without the majority of the bumps being centered on follicles?

My main concern is that said girlfriend is arriving this weekend, and I don't want to expose her to anything transmittable (note, she's already been exposed to the two original bumps). Should I abstain?

Thanks.
3 Responses
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242489 tn?1210497213
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hard to say.  The umbilication (small dimple in the center) is often not visible on small molluscum leasions.  On the other hand, mollusca are not typically centered on follciles.  On the third hand, a doctor experienced at Men's Health shouldn't need to ponder at high magnification and scratch his head before deciding it's molluscum.  Also, freezing with liquid nitrogen usually highlights the central dimples, if there are any.  Also, there's no reason why molluscum would suddenly explode afer freezing (whereas folliculitis might.)  Finally, mollusca are often not contagious (yes, despite their name.)  Rarely do I find that family or sexual contacts of people with this condition have them too.

I would call doctor #2 and ask if he saw umbilication on freezing, and ask how sure or unsure) he is about the diagnosis.  Then I would act accordingly.  But since folliculitis is not contagious, then unless the diagnosis of molluscum is firm, I wouldn't be concerned about transmission.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff
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Avatar universal
Well I had something very similar! 6-8 little red bumps in my pubic hair area.. These bumps started 2 days after having protect sex.  May I add the protected sex i had to be a factor because she was on top which caused about 30 minutes of heavy frictions...
I had these for about 5 weeks till i got started to get worried and saw a regular doctor who looked at the red bumps (they did not have multiple water like  blisters like herpes) but she said it could possibly herpes..  She gave me a blood test which of coarse was a waste of time and also gave me a scrip of valtrex...  Anyway I though "she" was crazy but in the back of my mind since these had happen 2 days after I had protected sex I felt there could be a possiblity.. Anyways a week later (THE 6th week) things started looking better, but I still saw a dermintologist.. He concluded it was FOLLICITICS (u know what i mean), so he gave me KEPHLEX told me to see him in 2 weeks....  The red bumps where already going away without the Kephlex, but 2 of the red bumps actually turned into BOILS which I felt the kephlex help kill the swelling and infection... Now 8 WEEKS later infection was almost clear I decided to have the same type if vigorouis sex again and bam 2 days later "light red" areas in the same place where my bumps where started, except the red area's never turned into pimple.. Now 5 days later the "light red" spots are going away.. I too had red bumps in the hair follical and 2 of them did not appear to be in the hair follical !! But rememeber if you TRIM or shave the HAIR FOLLICAL it can be hidden which would mean the actual hair can be in the bump.. Thought I would share my ordeal!

GOOD LUCK
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Avatar universal
P.S. - My girlfriend is totally free of any signs of STDs, and has been recently checked.  She is VERY careful with herself.  I also had sexual relationships with two girls in the two months before I was with her.

Thanks again.

Pres
Helpful - 0

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