Peculiar butt rash

[sarahjane1184]

I have a peculiar butt rash that occurs about 1-2 times per year x2 years. I have a fear that this may be herpes, despite my extremely modest sex life.

The rash occurs about 1" above the anus, starts with itching and turns into bumps that continue to itch and are painful. This usually resolves within a week or two. I do occasionally notice oozing.

I've never had anal sex, only oral and vaginal and only with one partner. I am and have been in a monogamous relationship for the past five years. He is faithful, I truly believe that. I am faithful. He has never had any symptoms. I have actually shown him this outbreak and he doesn't think much of it but it still scares me. I find that this rash usually occurs after a bout of diarrhea. The most recent episode being with a bout of painful, burning diarrhea followed by a long bike ride and I did sweat.

I am so paranoid because my case matches my researched descriptions of herpes. I don't feel like my situation would logically point to herpes, but the symptoms are so similar I find it uncanny. Why would i have herpes on my buttcheek/buttcrack but never had anal intercourse of any kind? If anything should they be on the vagina? I've never had any of these symptoms on my vagina, actual anus, or oral area. Is it possible that he brought this into the relationship but he's been asymptomatic? (he's only had 3 partner prior to me, all while he was in HS)

Suggestions? Should I just get tested? I'm so embarrassed to see the doctor about this.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

[sarahjane1184]

okay, i was tested for HSV I and II, positive for HSV I negative for HSV II. My rash was swabbed, and it turns out this rash is related to enterococcus likely from the diarrhea. :) :)

[sarahjane1184]

Thank you for the helpful information. I will be making an appointment today to be tested. Hopefully this just an extreme coincidence. I'll give an update once the test has resulted.

Thanks again!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but the symptoms are suggestive of herpes. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) and another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Transmission of herpes may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding.

The only way of ruling it out is by getting yourself tested for genital herpes. Laboratory tests include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get it ruled out.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.