Anal itch, herpes?

[Firstandlasttime]

A stripper gave me a fellatio a little more than 6weeks ago. I sat butt naked on a chair (made of fabric) while she performed protected oral on me. She had no cold sore that I could see.

6 weeks a later (some three days ago) after I went to the bathroom, my anus started itching after wiping. The itch is pretty mild and only hurts when I wipe (and when I tried to put alcool on it). I tried to see if I could visually find anything but can't (tough to look up yourself). I did see a red spot on my butt cheek but it doesn't hurt or itch. I have read lots and lots of pages on this site but can't find answers to my questions:

-you say that you can't catch HSV from toilet seats. But is the risk still zero from a chair? Assuming this chair sees a lot of action during a day is the risk any different?

-the stripper barely never touched the penis outside the condom. Maybe only when she put it on. Can HSV be caught that way?

-let's suppose saliva reached the uncovered area of the penis, wouldn't herpes outbreak appear at this spot? Could the first outbreak be the anus even though she never touched my anus?

-worst case scenario, if I caught HSV, from what I read it would be HSV1 as HSV2 cannot be caught that way, is that right?

-should I stop sex with my longterm gf based on that information? I've managed to not have sex with her since, and wanted to have all the results before I do. I was originally waiting for the 6-7week period and test for HIV/syphillis.


I plan on getting tested for everything in the coming week (7th week). I tested neg for chlamydia and gon two weeks after this exposure.

Thanks a lot for your time.

[justin0220]

A related discussion, Please help, need some answers since my doctor seems airheaded. was started.

[Firstandlasttime]

Thanks for the reply. I understand when you say I could not get herpes from the bj. It's the seating butt naked on a chair that goes with my education that "you can catch a STD from toilet seat".

You see, growing up fearing toilet seats, now anal itch after seating on a "dirty" chair. I can't help but think it's related.

I use hydrocortisone (.5% couldn't find 1%) and it hurts a bit. But seems to be working. It's been going on for two weeks now, I guess if it was herpes it wouldn't itch by now.

[Firstandlasttime]

Doc, I hope you read this and can answer.

I was convince I had nothing and stopped worrying. I even had sex with my GF. However, my anal itch persisted and I have been able to see something using a mirror.

My butt crack is red from anus to lower back. It is a line right in the middle. The itch is not in the area around the anus but higher towards my back. So I figure good, not herpes as herpes usually is blister like and roundish in form. But on a UK site I've read anal herpes is usually showing in line along the butt crack.

I know about the strike by lightning chances you told me. But those things I've found have me worried. Should I stop sex with GF and go for herpes tests? I cancelled my tests after your comment as I was sure I was ok.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You are describing what garden variety pruritus ani looks and feels like.  I repeat, you could not have acquired anal herpes from the BJ you received from the stripper.

[Firstandlasttime]

Thanks doc!
My local health care provider recommended that I get tested. The only aggravating fact that I forgot to mention but actually told my provider, is that I found a very small red spot (the size of a dot ->".") behind the head of my penis when I came home and showered. I don't know if this was following a teeth scratch or if it was there before. This red spot healed in about two days.

Based on what I read on the forum, I didn't think I needed HIV testing, but my provider recommended it anyway and for other STD as well.

I don't think this info will change your opinion on this, please let me know if it does.

Thanks again for your comments, that's really relieving. You have no idea how much I appreciate your devotion.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The medical term for anal itching is pruritus ani--which doesn't really say anything, since it's just Latin for itchy anus.  It is an exceedingly common symptom.  Everybody has it some of the time, and for many people is is a fairly continuous and aggravating problem.  Herpes can cause that symptom, but is a rare explanation overall.

And there is simply no chance you acquired herpes of the penis, anus, or anywhere else from the events you describe.  You can "suppose" all the "what if" scenarios you want about whether it "could" happen, but it would be a more productive use of your energy to worry about something that has a higher chance of happening, like getting hit by lightning.

Did you really get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia on account of this event??  What a waste of time and money.  If this is your only risk, it would be an even greater waste to have additional testing for herpes or any other STD at 6-7 weeks or any other time.

Try an over-the-counter steroid like hydrocortisone cream; and if the symptom persists after that, see your provider.  But otherwise put it out of your mind, have sex with your girlfriend all you like, and put herpes out of your mind.  Your anal itching has nothing whatsoever to do with the stripper event.

Good luck--  HHH, MD