worried! What do these symptoms mean?

Hey. I have had some unprotected sex this month 3 weeks in a row. I now have a burning sensation on my penis head, especially around the opening. There is a bit of red around the opening. I also have burning on my scrotum and it is red. I have no lesions, blisters, or scabs. It does not hurt to urinate and there has been no discharge. It is not getting better. However today I had a headache and diarrhea (symptoms of herpes).

-I am currently on a 4 week dose of DORYX (doxyciclone) for a scalp condition (on week 3). Can this cause these symptoms.

-Could it be jock itch, herpes, any other std or fungal infection?
-Could it be from crabs? I feel there were tiny(very small, almost to small to see) colleciton of what could be nits/eggs on my my pubic hair under my testicles. I used rid shampoo today to take care of that incase it was the problem.

I am concerned its an std, and even more worried it could be herpes. Are those symptoms that of herpes or something else? Can you have herpes and not have blisters, etc and only have red rash symptoms? ( the headache and diarrhea worry me i have read these are symptoms online).

Anyones thoughts would be very helpful! Thank you very much!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Although the symptoms are suggestive of balanoposthitis, it is important to get a complete STD panel done and get STD’s ruled out. Oral course of antibiotics is needed. In addition, please don’t use any cosmetics on the penis, instead use some topical antimicrobials like Bacitracin or Lotrimin. Also corticosteroids and topical immunosuppressants can be used but they are available under prescription. Also retract the foreskin daily and soak in warm water to clean penis and foreskin. In case the symptoms persist then please consult a urologist/dermatologist for evaluation and antimicrobials and steroids prescription.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.