rash???

[nicole33]

I have tiny red itchy individual bumps on my bum mostly but (have also occured on my upper legs and surronding my vagina). They have been persistent for the past 4 months usually one or two at a time. they are very tiny and go away usually the same day or next day. They sometimes feel like pins and needles.   Also to go along with this i have had intense itchy, burning, redness of the vaginal area.  I have tried oral antibiotics pills and i have also tried monstat creams to get rid of the vaginal symptoms but they have persisted.  Also I have tried a Canesten/ HCL external cream however it does not seem to work.I have become very worried that this is herpes infection however i am confused because i know that herpes is a latent infectious virus and the symptoms should not persist for 4 months at a time. Also these bumps are not associated with hair follicles and they usually occur in hairless areas.  Also previous to any signs of this i have had intercouse with my boyfriend unprotected who has had intercourse with other people before the 4 months.  Also I have given oral sex to him with cold sores in the past however i do not know if he is experiencing any similar situations as me since i only see him every couple months becuase this is a long distance relationship.  I am conpletely stressed for the past four months becuase of this, i cannot sleep my questions to you are:
1) IS this herpes? If not what can it be?
2) Is this the oral form of herpes?
3) Why has this been occuring for 4 months without going away.
4) What could i try? using different soaps, breathable clothes etc does not work?
5) I am a medical studentand am constantly worrying extensively about what this could be becuase i know to much information. I have tried not to be stressed to see if it was the stress that was making the herpes if thats what it is worse but it does not seem to change the situation.  I need answers because this is constantly on my mind and affecting my medical education. Also becuase i am in the medical field i am too embarrased to go to the doctor to figure it out.  Thanks

[Natalie. t]

can i use a pin to reduce the bump that is caused from shaving? i have these little bumps they lok like razor bumps but more soft and when it's squeeze pus comes out. it's almost like a big pimple. is it a pimple or something else

[sweetthag]

Well I am a black female. I am really dark skin and have black bumps on my vagina like on my bikini line too but its not in the inside part. It seldomly itches but it realy dosnt bother me until i look at it. I want to know could it be razor bumps but they dont go away! I have only had sex once un-protected and 4 other times protected! I really want to know could it be an std and if so which one and can it be treated!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, this does not sound anything like herpes.  It sounds like folliculitis, which does not require non-breathable clothing to come about.  Folliculitis can certainly persist off and on (or just on) for 4 months or more, without suggesting that it's anything else.  I cannot think of any connection with oral herpes either.

I understand your reluctance to see a doctor, but I do not endorse it.  You owe it to your own mental health to do what you will most likely spend the rest of your clinical life doing--encouraging people to seek proper care for their mental and physical well-being.

You may well find out that you have ongoing pimples, about which you can do little but which have little or no significance.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[SelectiveMind]

Recently I experienced a rash that lasted quite a while, after weeks of driving myself crazy with my thoughts (which I feel aggrivated the situation incredibly) I went to the derm. which told me that my fear of herpes wasnt the case, he suggested ringworm .. I was relieved but skeptical at best...

After doing some research online which is a double edged sward (most sites can get your thoughts  driving you crazy in 2.5 seconds) I came across a condition called Pityriasis Rosea, which I urge people not to assume they have however seems to be closest to my symptoms. ( I reccomend seeing a doctor asap rather then assuming) however after reading, alot of the symptoms and conditions were the same which coincidently is often diagnosed as "ringworm"

Here are some links for people to review some possibilities BUT I strongly suggest not to jump to conclusions and see your doctor to help gather facts on your condition. Also If you think this condition could be your case doing a search for Pityriasis Rosea will help you get more info.

http://www.dermnetnz.org/dna.pitros/pitros.html
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10549.html
http://www.lebofsky.com/write/pityriasis.html