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601156 tn?1229285825

Genital itch that isn't herpes?

For about the past 3 months I have had a recurring itch in my genital area. It has been mostly at the base of my scrotum, but also around my thighs, near the top of my genital region, and around my butt. I was concerned that it was Genital Herpes, so I saw a doctor and got tested. At the same time I was using aldara cream, so the doctor passed it off as an aldara cream reaction- but my herpes blood test DID come back negative. However I have quit using the aldara cream, and the itching has come back on its own. Although there are no visible sores, for a while there was quite a bit of itching and irritation, and at times the itching would be quite intense. Since my last sexual encounter which was about 3 months ago, I have had the Herpes blood test twice, the first time being about 10 days after my encounter and the second time being about 5-6 weeks after. My question is that even though the blood test came back negative, is there any chance that I am actually positive for herpes? Is that enough time after an encounter for the blood test to be accurate?

If not, what else could be the cause for these symptoms? Other doctors passed it off as jock itch, but it is in regions that jock itch doesn't occur, and I have no ringworm or anything of the sort. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I've been loosing a lot of sleep lately. Thanks.
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601156 tn?1229285825
Sorry, I have been an athlete for 20 years and have never got jock itch. This reaction started occuring specifically after my last sexual encounter, and has come and gone.
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Avatar universal
I can't wait till summer is over so the people who get Jock Itch will stop writing thinking it's herpes. Amazing how it is confused and how everyone believes the worst case scenario, herpes. People who have herpes itching is a localized itch where an outbreak is going to happen. It is not general itching all over a region...
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601156 tn?1229285825
Sounds good, I appreciate the response, I'm hoping for the best.
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101028 tn?1419603004
Your own provider thought it was jock itch but you never treated it? I recommend treating it for a full 2 weeks and see if that finally gets rid of it for once and for all.

grace
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601156 tn?1229285825
I'm just concerned that because it seems to have went away and came back that it is something other than jock itch, specifically herpes... Since itching is a symptom of herpes, is it possible that I have the itch but no lesions? Does the itching of herpes usually only preceed the formation of lesions?
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601156 tn?1229285825
No, I haven't tried any antifungals. This current episode has been occurring for about 10 days now, and hasn't lessoned much. I suppose I could give an antifungal a try.
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101028 tn?1419603004
Just itching and no obvious lesions isn't likely to be due to herpes.  Yes indeed those are areas where jock itch ( aka fungal infections aka yeast ) do occur.  Did you treat it with antifungals at all and if so for how long?

grace
Helpful - 0
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