small clustered clear blisters... should i be worried?

[wayworried1]

hello doc-  i am worried sick as i think these may be herpes.  they are very small (about the size of a pen tip) clear blisters sometimes in a clump of three or so but mainly they are solo that have formed in the pubic hair region. just one in the actual groin area (between the leg and the sack) and the rest are from the belly button down into the actual pubic hair above the penis.  i dont recall having anything like this ever on the head or shaft of the penis. only an occasional ingrown hair or pimp or something half way normal like that.  these clear blisters have no pain or anything like that unless i irratate them to the extreme (i.e waistband rubbing them at work or the like).  i first noticed them about two months or so ago and thought it would just be a irratation from my pants and boxers from work out in heat and being sweaty and dirty all day (construction and concrete work) but now i seen some pictures and it looks like herpes but just not on the penis itself.  i am a fairly healty 25year old male, sexually active with maybe 4 or 5 different partners a year, usually unprotected, but usually not any one night stands or anything like that.  lately it seems like the ones actually in the pubic hair themsleves have just been red bumps, but the one directly under my belly button has stayed a clump of clear blisters.  i dont know if they have a fluid in them or what, they dont seem to pop. i dont recall being sick or anything in that nature when these came around, they just kind of showed up and them seem to spread around the area. any help would be great. i do have an appointment with my dermatologist on aug.3rd 2006 to look at my psorasis and i am def. going to have him look at these blisters as well. im just scared of what he may say. any thing you can tell me is appreciated and i thank you in advance.

p.s.- maybe i wouldnt call them blisters cause they are not sore, just like hard little clear bumps.  hope all the info helps.

[wayworried1]

went to the doctor today... said it was molluscum contagiosum.. and he busted a few and left the rest.. said they would go away on their own.. anything else you recommend? WASNT herpes (thank god) so that is a big relief..

[wayworried1]

thanks for the input and i will def. take your advice. much appreciated. hope all goes well at my appointment. i will post the diagnoses for anyone elses future reference.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you have blocked follicles, not herpes.  It sounds as though they're lasting far too long to be herpes outbreaks.  My advice is to leave them alone till your appointment, so the doctor will be easily able to tell by looking.  But I don't think you'll get bad news.

You ought to practice safe sex, though.  It doesn't matter whether your stands are one night or many.  If you don't use protection, you may be risking catching something, not to mention the anxiety of worrying that you did....

Best.

Dr. Rockoff