worried about warts

24yro M. abstinent, five months. three sexual partners total. 1 oral sex.

during my six year relationship with my first sexual partner, i got yeast infections twice - peeling glans (glands), etc. both times were treated by GPs with vaginal yeast creams. they left the area feeling rather dry and wrinkled to this day. it is unlikely that that partner had any STDs (warts included), because of the long duration - although i am aware the latency periods can be real long.

nearly the end, i noticed little tiny red bumps <1mm on the glans (glands) of my penis. they are spread pretty liberally, and when the penis is squeezed while erect they present a somewhat bumpy glans (glands). there is no real congregation of bumps.

that was in october of last year. since then i have had two sexual partners, two single contacts. i have been abstinent for five months. both girls claim they have no stds.

i have never really thought about the bumps over the last year because they never really changed much and can't really be seen - only visible when i squeeze the glans (glands) and put it under a light.

that said:

can the bumps be caused by the creams that were used? (clotrimazole 7, 14 day treatment)

what are some possiblities of their origin?

i am a high school teacher and when my benefits package finally kicks in, i plan to see a dermatologist. what kinds of questions might i ask?

i am terrified of having genital warts, because over and over i have been seeing the same thing: no cure. and those pictures of penises with little gardens growing out of them don't exactly make me feel better, either.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I don't think these are warts--they are on the glans (glands) (whereas most warts are on the shaft); they are small, widespread, and hard to see, all of which tend not to be true of warts; they are very unlikely to be caused by cream.  They're probably small cysts of clogged pores.  When you see a dermatologist, ask for a careful examination--that should settle the issue.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[duenor]

thank you very much. i'm still freaked out, but just talking to someone who knows what i'm worried about has helped me immensely.

by the way, what is an acetone (vinegar?) test, and can it be administered at home?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Vinegar turns warts white.  It also turns lots of things that aren't earts white.  Best not done.

Dr. Rockoff