Herpes Scars! Will they ever heal??!!... Who would ever touch me?

[JohnnyBadSkin]

I was recently diagnosed with HSV and because I have eczema, it was a really bad outbreak and I think I have permanent scarring.  I've been patient and praying, but It's been 2 and a half months and the marks are still there and they are all over my genitals. There is an archipelago of 'dips' in the head and it only looks more prominent when I'm erect.  The bottom has lighter spots and the top has some lighter patches.  Now, I'm a mutant, and I'm pretty sure any successful disclose I have is going to be ruined when they see my diseased and scarred unit.  This has been the worst period of my life and it just keeps getting worse. My giver got it from hooking up with her ex (unprotected) while we were dating (I was protected), she also said she was disease-free and tested when we hooked up or one and only time, and she didn't know she had contracted it, though she didn't tell me about her history. She's healed up and went back to her ex, and I'm left with a broken heart, a broken life, and a disfigured penis.  Life is so brutal, and I didn't deserve this.  I protected myself to the best of my ability and certainly more than most people I know.  Any help on at least making me look normal again would be a blessing. I seriously can't imagine anyone will love me and I can basically kiss a sex life good bye, and certainly the chance to end up with an amazing quality person.

[JohnnyBadSkin]

Thanks, I'll post up how it goes, I'm sure other people are going to want to know.  Dermatologist also recommended aquaphor as a supplemental moisturizer between applications of the more expensive stuff.

[castello80]

Glad to hear that you were able to see a dermatologist to recommend you products. Keep me posted on how these work out for you! I'd give it a few months as probably your dermatologist recommended before you do something more aggressive like laser scar removal.

[JohnnyBadSkin]

Thanks, I consulted a dermatologist who recommended some creams
If anyone wants to know

Neocutis Bio-Cream
EpiCeram

I may explore some more 'aggressive' treatments that he mentioned but only after I see how these turn out.

[gracefromHHP]

a dermatologist can help you figure out what is the best thing to do.

[JohnnyBadSkin]

Thanks for the advice Castello, so many options (and all the waiting!), I just want to wake up with this gone but I guess I'll need patience.  And Grace, your encouraging and honest answers are always appreciated. Thanks so much for the work you put it.

[castello80]

You can try some silicon gel sheets, which are relatively inexpensive. They can reduce scarring by up to 85%, but it's really hit or miss with it for most people. Again, it's inexpensive so it might be worth a shot. Vitamin E helps reduce the appearance of scars. You can ingest it and put some of the liquid on your scars.

A dermatologist would be able to help you to an extent, but it's limited depending on their practice (some oppose laser while some use it). Plastic surgeons can perform laser scar removal on scars while not many dermatologists practice this yet. This would be your last resort because it's pricey. I suggest using natural remedies and silicon to begin, and if you don't see progress from using the silicon gel sheets in three months then consider other methods.

[gracefromHHP]

correct, this isn't an infectious disease issue, it's a dermatology issue.

oh and trust me, as someone who's seen hundreds of penises  between my professional and  personal life  - they aren't blemish free and a few dips in the skin isn't going to turn anyone off.  

[JohnnyBadSkin]

You are right, in that this is probably a bigger deal to me than anyone else, but it's far from invisible and definitely noticeable at, um, 'eye' level. I am seeing a infectious disease specialist next week and getting blood work this week.  A dermatologist would probably be a better consultant for this I suppose. I'm not sure anything can be done about the 'dips', since they are on the part of the skin that expands.  Ugh, pretty stressed but it's nice to get an answer.  Thanks for the advice.  

[gracefromHHP]

this is probably far more visible to you than it is to others. have you seen a dermatologist at all for help with this?

grace