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Ingrown hair or herpes?
Wednesday morning I noticed a bump on the base of my penis. I plucked two hairs out of the the area. The hair had skin on it. I also pull a little skin away I think. The spot wasn't there on Tuesday. I used alcohol to swab the spot. On friday I had sex with my girlfriend and made the spot bigger and worse. I have definately messed with it a lot. I have been putting neosporin on it since Friday morning. It looks like oval scratch and has a wet look until Sunday. It never really hurt or itched. Herpes never crossed my mind but when I started reading online my heart sank. I am very nervous and embarrased. It is one spot, not multiple. It was small and got bigger due to the sex. I can't tell if me messing with it turned it into what it is now or if it is herpes. It was never raised but does look like a cold sore now with a hair beginning to grow out again. It doesn't hurt to the touch. How painful is Herpes? Please lend me some advice on my description. Its now Monday evening and has dried up and healing.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your description is quite concerning in terms of herpes. I can't tell you if it is herpes or not, but I can suggest that you get an IgG type specific antibody test. One site for that online, if you prefer to do that, is healthcheckusa.com. I have been consulting with them recently and feel they are very much on the right page about herpes testing. Youl could also go to your regular health care provider and ask for the test, - no IgM testing, however. When did you last have sex with someone other than your girlfriend?
Terri
Terri
My previous girlfriend which was over 2 months ago. I keep reading how painful herpes is. The spot isn't painful. Is it possible that i received an infection from plucking hair out of the area then using alcohol to swab the area?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Its possible yes, but not all herpes hurts. A clinician visit would be the best indicator of what's going on here.
Terri
Terri
I was previously tested while with my previous partner. All test were negative.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
And was this current partner also tested for both HSV 1 and 2 by antibody test?
Terri
Terri
I haven't asked, but we hadn't had sex until Friday. This issue popped up on Wednesday. I have arranged for a blood test. If it's an igrown hair what do I look for? If it herpes what do I look for?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You had sex for the first time on Friday and the following Wednesday you developed this area of abnormality? And are you absolutely certain that herpes was included in your previous STD screen. It frequently is not. You might want to double check if you aren't 100% certain. Both will heal in about the same time, I would suspect, but with herpes, you will get more. If this is a new herpes infection, your antibody testing will continue to be negative (if you had it done). You wont' notice changes in the antibody test for a few months or maybe less.
Terri
Terri
I am 100% sure I was tested for both types of herpes. I site popped up the Wednesday before.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If you both tested negative for both HSV 1 and 2 before you had sex, and the timing was appropriate after your last sexual encounter, then you don't need to worry about getting herpes.
Terri
Terri
In reading H. Hunter Handsfield MD posts. After exposure to genital herpes you will typically see issues within 3 to 5 days. I posted my info to Edward W Hook MD, he mention my timeline Of 2 months later and location seemed inconsistent with herpes but rather Folliculitis. My lesion is still apparent on day 11. I did have the flu that started the day before my spot occurred. I guess I don't trust my last sexual partner so my questions continue.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Did you tell Dr. Hook about the testing situation for both of you? That's very important information for him to have.
Terri
Terri
He said he read the posts you and I have had.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
