Could this be staph or herpes?

[PBTB34]

Hi I am a 33 year old married mother of two. I have been with my husband for 10 years and before that I only had one previous partner for 8 years.  About a week ago I noticed an ingrown hair in my genital area and pulled it out and there were a couple more so I pulled them out too. The spot where the hair wasn't healing as fast as usual and then I noticed where the other hairs were there were small open sore still. Then the sores appeared in a couple other places. One where there was no hair. Then I got worried and went to the doctor. He looked at it and said he thought it was herpes. It blew my mind! He took a culture and I am waiting results. I just have no idea how it could be herpes. My husband has never had any signs nor my previous partner. And we have been together for so long with no incidents. I am losing my mind over this. I know right before this happened we had oral sex but that not unusual. Could I have gotten an infection or something. I go to the gym and I don't wear underwear with my work out pants so don't know if that could cause it. Any help or insight is appreciated. Thank you.

[JC81]

This doesn't sound like herpes. It would have been sore to the touch and larger than an ingrown hair. Good luck with the results though.

[PBTB34]

Thank you for your answer. Just one question can folliculitis spread to areas that are hairless?

[HowardH]

With most lesions associated with hairs, you can be confident this problem wasn't a herpes outbreak. Not every folliculitis lesion has a visible hair coming from it. That you found one without an apparent hair doesn't mean anything. In any case, recurrent herpes is uncommon in hair-bearing areas.

If this problem persists or recurs, consider seeing your doctor for professional assessment. But from what you have said, I see no reason to be concerned about genital herpes.

I hope this has helped. Take care.