possible warts?

[Mark55]

A few months ago I experienced scrotal discomfort, and the entire scrotum turned red.  This lead me to constantly examine the area, as it was driving me crazy.  After a few weeks, and upon close examination I noticed what appeared to be hundreds of pin-head sized papules or bumps, scattered over the entire scrotum.  The skin was very red and somewhat rough and tacky/moist at times.  I saw a dermatologist a few times who was not exactly sure what was going on and eventually performed a biopsy which came back indicating lichen simplex chronicus. For the most part, the redness has cleared dramatically, although it will return briefly if I am under stress.  The small bumps described still exist.  Now thinking back on the whole experience, I am wondering if these small bumps could possibly be warts?  Would the biopsy have indicated warts if warts existed? Or am I just suddenly being paranoid? If not, could these bumps be a result of the lichen simplex chronicus?

Thank you

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Lichen simplex chronicus means eczema, thickened from rubbing and scratching.  This seems like quite a reasonable diagnosis, given your history.  Warts would indeed show up on biopsy, and the report would have said so if they were there.  So you can and should stop worrying.  Ignore the residual redness, which will fade on its own over time.  If the eczema recurs, you should use whatever the dermatologist prescribed, just until it stops bothering you.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff