How long do marks remain visible after scabs fall off

Outbreak (probably the first) came with no warning, no flu, fever or pain.  Just 4-5 red bumps similar to pimples on penis shaft in close proximity.  On day 3 say a physician who did visual exam and gave blood test.  Results positive for HSV 2 (he said this was an early detection iGG type test and very reliable) and negative for syphilis.  Prescribed acyclovir which I took 3 times a day for total of 1200 mg per day for six days.  Then continued with lower dosage of 400 mg 2/day since then.

The red marks dried out, scabbed over and the scabs fell off about day 8 or 9.  However, there are similar but dry and a little shiny pinkish/whitish marks underneath.  Those marks resemble something similar to a scar after removing sutures or stitches.Sort of a straight line with two cross hatches but they occupy the same area as the previous red marks.

The "scar" has more or less stayed the same ever since. It is now day 18.  Although the physican first told me there would be no sign of anything a week after I saw him, he told me now (over the phone) it may take a month for everything to clear.

I have read that it is supposed to be all clear once the scabs disappear, but is it normal a scar line or other marks to linger for weeks after the scabs disappear?

[Mistakeguy789]

Interesting.  You should request a copy of the paper work for the testing.  I am wondering if the doctor order an IGM test and not the IGG.

There shouldn't be any scaring unless you poke and prod at them.  

[axelrod99]

The tests were done in-house and the results were obtained in about 15 minutes.  It was just a printed sheet, no numbers or anything.  But according to the clinic's website, they apparently use Herpes immunoassay gG2 test.  There was no poking or prodding I can assure you.

[gracefromHHP]

i'd stop the daily suppressive therapy at this point. if you get a return of symptoms, be seen within 48 hours of their appearance for a lesion culture and typing to look for herpes. Otherwise wait 3 or 4 months after the last time you had sex prior to these symptoms and repeat your herpes igg blood test.   at this point you can't assume that you herpes at all unfortunately since your provider dropped the ball and didn't do the proper testing.

the herpes igm test is not recommended in the std's 2010 herpes testing guidelines. Providers shouldn't be doing it.  At this point it's actually considered malpractice if a provider diagnoses you through igm testing.

grace

[axelrod99]

Thanks but I think my post may not have been sufficiently clear.  The physician flatly states he does not use IGm.  Does not.  As indicated he uses IGg immunoassay.  

My original question was whether it can take 30 days for traces of the red marks to go away even after the scabbing is done.  Thanks for any information anyone can provide in this regard.

[gracefromHHP]

early detection is usually igm hence why I said what I did.   if you tested + on igg at the time of your symptoms, odds are it's something you've had for awhile.  I'm guessing you either had a herpeselect rapid test or a biokit test.  neither of them are "early detection" actually but perhaps your provider doesn't really understand the intricacies of the tests.  Up to you if you want to consider additional confirmatory testing since a lesion culture wasn't done.

skin can still show the marks of a herpes ob for awhile. Same as when you skin your knee, sometimes it takes months until you can't see where it happened.  sometimes a moisturizer is helpful.  

[axelrod99]

Thanks, perhaps I should have said "quick detection" and not "early detection" and you are right it must have been dormant for weeks or months.  It was quick because only took 20 minutes.  

Do you have any thoughts on what "a while" would be in terms of showning marks,  I have been a fast healer in the past on skinned paper cuts, etc. in the past.  And I read to keep it very dry during the OB but I suppose that would not apply at this stage.  

[Mistakeguy789]

If you are concerned on how the skin is healing you should look into seeing a dermatologist.  Like grace said it may take a while.  Each person is different and unique when their body goes to heal.  

[gracefromHHP]

the marks on the skin really aren't important - the lesion has healed at this point. Odds are you are paying a lot of attention to your genital area in general right now and they are probably more evident to you than to others anyways.  

[axelrod99]

Ha, you may be right Grace, maybe they are not as evident to others (don't worry, I won't offer to send you any pics).  Thanks.