Ingrown hair, then boil, now ulcer? Herpes?

[medicalconcern]

Hello. I noticed a bump on my vulvar region on Monday. It did not hurt much. It looked like there was a gray area within it, and when I put a hot cloth on it I noticed there was a tiny ingrown hair within it. I used tweezers to remove the hair. I am not sure if I pulled some skin off doing so, but then it started to look bumpy and a little cut. It then healed a bit. It then turned bigger, almost like a boil and was red around the area with a lighter color in the middle when I would look closely. The area stung if I put an exfoliating pad on it so I put antibiotic cream on it. This evening the bump was still there. I showered and the area appeared to come to a head and the top peeled off - it was flesh in color. Now it appears as an open reddish ulcer. I rubbed an exfoliating pad on it again and it still stung. I did put antibiotic cream on it. The bump is not there anymore; when I look in the mirror it appears as an ulcer with reddish lining. My question is: could this be herpes? As I mentioned before, there was initally an ingrown hair that I pulled from the area, and I am wondering if tweezing it out could have irritated the area more, making these symptoms appear synonymous to herpes. The plucked hair was right on the sore, not in the middle but on the side of it. If anyone has any insights it would be much appreciated. I have no other symptoms, so if it is herpes this would be a first outbreak and I have heard they are the worst. However, I am concerned over the ulcer. Also, I did have a Brazilian wax 5 days ago, just to give you background. Any help would be appreciated. I am worried sick. Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

glad you were seen and got better answers :)

[medicalconcern]

Not herpes.  The doctor explained that ingrown hairs CAN ulcer over.  I told him my worry was that I have had plenty of ingrown hairs that never healed in this way.  However, he explained it appeared there was a skin tag I may have also plucked in the process that could have made the situation worse, caused a boil, and then the subsequent ulcer.  As of this morning, the ulcer has pretty much healed.  It never became yellow and crusty as a herpes ulcer would. The neosporin has helped immensely.

[gracefromHHP]

how was your appointment? did you get any answers?

[medicalconcern]

The reason I was also concerned is because I did have sex with someone new only days (8) before I noticed the bump. It still appears to be healing with a whitish center and red ring around it. Almost seems like the skin would keep peeling off if I do not mess with it, but I continue to apply neosporin to it.  Again, no new symptoms. I have had many ingrowns before but none that go through this cycle, hence my worry. Are ALL ulcerations indicative of herpes? The fact that I tweezed an ingrown hair on the side at first makes me think this is just an irritation from that, but then the bump developed. The top layer then came off and now there is another layer of skin on the ulcer. Just very concerned.

[gracefromHHP]

have you had a new partner? if you have a regular partner, have they been tested for herpes?

[medicalconcern]

Thanks Grace. Yes, my regular physician tests me for all STDs (including HSV1 and HSV2).   I have not been tested in about six months, so perhaps it is time again.  The ulceration is still there, thin reddish outline and a skin colored center.  Does not hurt unless pressure is applied. I am going to my gyn tomorrow and will let you know what happens. Thank you again for your reply!

[gracefromHHP]

sounds more like an ingrown hair than herpes, especially considering you had a wax recently and found a hair to pick out of it. if it's not starting to look better in a few days, be seen for further evaluation.

have you ever had testing for herpes before?

grace