Any ideas?

[Oguurl]

Hello,
For a couple of weeks I have has some really superficial itching of my skin.  It started after I had unprotected sex with a partner and has not gone away since.  At first it started in the hair around my vagina but after a while it moved to all over my skin.  I don't really see a rash or anything except sometimes my skin looks kind of red.  Now my lymph node on the left side of my groin seems to be slightly large/painful.  I have had absolutely no signs of a sore anywhere on or around my vagina.  I did see a couple of red bumps on my foot but I think they were probably bug bites.  They itched really bad but never burst or anything.  Hydrocortisone cream works sort of but not really.  Also, this isn't present any more but for a while the skin on my labia and around my clitoris was quite red and that is when the itching was the worst.  I see some discharge but not a lot and it is not chunky like a yeast infection, more sort of runny.  I don't know how long that has been present since I was on my period when all of this first started.

Any ideas?  At one moment I am thinking this sounds like herpes and the next I am thinking it sounds like Crabs.  I was STD tested 3 months ago and it came out clean.  I am almost convinced that this is herpes, but I was convinced three months ago when I went to get tested the first time and it came back negative.  Also, I should mention, the itching seems to be worse when I am in bed which makes me think crabs.  If anyone has any suggestions, I would be very thankful.  I have an appointment to get tested on Wednesday but I am obsessing about this.

[Oguurl]

Hi Grace,
No, I only actually went and got the blood test.  I didn't have time to also go to the gyno so I thought I would at least get that out of the way and get those results back so we could at least focus or not focus on herpes.  I have an appointment for the 26th to see the gyno though.

We will see what is causing the itching, because its STILL itching.  At least I know it's not HIV, Herpes, syphilis or any of the other ones they tested for and that in and of itself is a huge relief for me.

Have a great weekend, Grace,
OGuurl

[gracefromHHP]

Yes you are negative for hsv1 and hsv2.

did they test you for yeast and bacterial infections when you were seen?  What did your provider think was causing all the itching?

grace

[Oguurl]

Hi Grace,
I got my test results back today.  It was a Herpeselect test and this is what my doctor told me:

HSV 1 - 0.16
HSV 2 - 0.14

He said anything under 0.19 is a negative.  Hopefully this is accurate information.  I can't seem to find anything on the website about what is considered negative.

[gracefromHHP]

www.ashastd.org - they have a research fund you can donate to if you are interested. They are very reputible and are actively involved in all aspects of std's ( you see quotes from them in many std articles and even on cnn and such ).  I believe you can specify herpes  too on your donation :)  I've been involved with them for years now myself :)

Let us know how your appointment goes today :)

grace

[Oguurl]

You guys are great.  I know you probably hear this all the time but I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.  I have read a lot of other posts on here and I am amazed at how supportive you are at every opportunity.  I know it's not easy when people ask the same questions over and over.

I was wondering, is there some research foundation or something you can donate to to do research on a herpes cure?  I am becoming more and more convinced that what I am experiencing is not herpes, but from all the research I have been doing, this is an epidemic.  I used to think that I wouldn't be able to accept someone with herpes as a partner but this has completely changed my mind seeing how common it is.  I am almost scared to have sex at all anymore seeing as how you can get it even having protected sex.  Are there any reputable places doing research for a cure that you know of?

[gracefromHHP]

Itching for a couple of weeks isn't likely to be due to herpes.  

grace

[such_is_life]

mmm may be chlamydia :-/  i say just get tested again and in the meantime don't worry yourself to death about it.

[Oguurl]

Thank you.  Can you tell me, does the burning itching precluding a herpes outbreak last for such a long time?  It seems like it shouldn't last this long without some sort of OB.

[gracefromHHP]

Your appointment on wednesday is the best idea. You'll need tested for vaginosis at that time and they'll get a good look at things to see if anythin glooks even remotely like herpes.

grace

[Oguurl]

Oh, and maybe it would help if I mention that the itching burning around my vagina feels like razor burn but I haven't shaved down there.  I have been getting a lot of ingrown hairs in that area lately.