Bump in my pubic area, scared of herpes

[helpme7541]

Over the last week I have had a burning/irritated sensation in my groin and crotch area. I started looking around when it started burning (8 days ago) and found a bump about the size of a pencil eraser that looked almost like a pimple. I noticed yesterday a hair growing out of the base of it. The bump did not appear to have any coloration at all and had I not been looking I would have never known it was there.  The bump does not hurt and it looks the same today as it did 8 days ago. The bump is between my crotch and my scrotum and I have to pull the areas apart to be able to see the bump. I went to the doctor yesterday and he ordered a herpes blood test and gave me some Acaclovyr cream and now I have just about worried myself sick. The burning sensation seemed to be gone for the most part yesterday and today.  I also noticed another bump on the bottom part of my left but cheek.  It hurts just like any other pimple that I have had in the area but I can't see very well to tell what it looks like.  I haven't had sex in over a month and have never felt this way before. Yesterday my back and hips were hurting, but I don't know if that's because I worried myself to death and was constantly bent over looking at it. Even after putting the cream on the bump five times yesterday and showering twice, it does not appear to have changed at all.  Does this sound like herpes?  Or am I worrying myself to death.  There are no places on my penis and I don't see how the areas affected could have touched anything during sex.  Please help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This doesn't sound at all like herpes; you are overreacting a bit.  Both the location of the lesions and your description sound like folliculitis or another localized bacterial infection.  I expect your HSV-2 blood test to be negative.  (Well, it could be positive, since 25% of the population has positive HSV-2 blood tests.  But if so, it still doesn't mean herpes is the cause of your pubic area bumps.)

By the way, acyclovir cream doesn't work against herpes.  Only systemic therapy (orally) is effective.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[ryn21]

Your symptoms point more to folliculitis.  Most doctors can distinguish between herpes and folliculitis, although your doc probably ordered the tests done to reassure you 100%.  I used to get skin conditions similar to yours when I played sports in school.  Even before I started having sex, my own highly conservative doctor thought I was getting tinea and folliculitis and still tested me for HSV to be 100% sure.

[helpme7541]

Thank you very much for the quick reply doctor.  I started looking and in the area that was burning in my crotch area, it seemed like there was a red line, almost like a stretch mark forming and the bump between my crotch and scrotum appeared that it might be coming to a head.  I get a lot of bumps on my inner thighs from running and what not, but this has taken longer to heal than most skin problems I have had and it has scared me.  I also had some muscle and joint aches, but as I have said, I have almost made myself sick worrying.  I'll still be worried until I get the results back, but again, I want to thank you for the quick response.

[dermoproblems]

Herpes looks like a mosquito bite at first and itches much worse. After a few days the spot may open up and become more painful than itchy, with discharge.

The initial illness when you contract herpes will be very flu-like, you will most likely be very sick. Throwing up, a fever, swollen glands in the groin and lots of sleep. About 2-10 days after coming in contact with the virus. If you are sure you have herpes, be sure to go to a doc sooner than later, it helps to get a prescription to slow down the initial infection!

It is said that 1 in 4 people have herpes.

Be sure to read up on the benefits of the over the counter medication for heartburn, Tagamet (cimetidine). It is more cost affective than herpes prescriptions and may be just as effective.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2001/mar2001_report_tagamet_1.html

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I disagree with much of the comment by dermoproblems.  No more than 20% of people with initial genital HSV infections have systemic symptoms like fever, and only a slightly higher proportion get inflamed lymph nodes.  And herpes lesions generally do not itch.

The cimetidine (Tagamet)/herpes story is old news.  It has never been formally studied in genital herpes and at best has a minor benefit for herpes zoster.  I would advise forum users with herpes to disregard that advice.

For accurate overviews of genital herpes and its treatment, read the herpes summary provided by Public Health - Seattle & King County (http://www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/std/) and/or the information provided by CDC (www.cdc.gov/std) and the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org).

[helpme7541]

Doctor-
     Today is the ninth day that I have had the two bumps that I told you about yesterday.  Yesterday, the bump that was between my crotch and scrotum ached almost like a pimple and this morning in the shower, I don't know if it popped or if I rubbed the top off of it with a washcloth but when I got out of the shower it was bleeding a little.  I can't really see what it looks like but I put some alcohol on it and it was just a slight sting for about a second and that is it.  Do you still think I am ok?  I can't help but be scared until I get my results back.  Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

You are worrying yourself into a tizzy!!!!  you've already been to the doctor - if you don't feel that you were properly diagnosed then return again or get a 2nd opinion elsewhere.  You can sit there with the spotlight and magnifying mirror all day if you want - it won't give you the answers you need !  The more you are playing around with the skin in that area to try to see if it's changed a bit or any new symptoms have appeared -the more you will just irritate it and give yourself more symptoms/delay healing!!

Put your boxers back on and stop looking at your genitals for a few days.  Take a look a few days from now and if things still haven't changed then 1 - it's very unlikely that your symptoms are due to herpes because they would've changed during that time and then 2 - make that return appointment to be seen to be checked for other causes.  As was already mentioned it's likely to be either ingrown hairs, infections of the hair follicule or even good ole fungus going on. Try to stop obsessing about it - I know that's easier said than done but sitting around worrying yourself about this isn't going to change a thing. Either stop looking at it or see a different doctor.

grace

[helpme7541]

THAT'S THE THING, THE DOCTOR HAS TOLD ME ANYTHING YET!!! HE ORDERED A TEST AND I HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE RESULTS YET.  YOU'RE RIGHT, I AM WORRYING MYSELF TOO MUCH BUT AS YOU SAID IT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.  THANKS!

[questionsandconcerns]

helpme7541

   I have the same thing. Meaning, my X-girlfriend use to get cold sores, I did not think anything about it. A while back I started getting those red bumps around my private area, they would also bleed just like what you where saying. Did you figure out what is wrong? Is it Herpes, I am really concerned myself and am going to go see a doctor and have them run some tests. Please let me know what you found out?

[dontworry89]

I think i have a bump similar to what yall are describing. i dont kno what it is but it hurts real bad. i wrestle and i got felliculitous under my chin and it feels alot like that. it is right on my under wear line, its red and really sore all around it.i thought that it was just an ingrown hair becaus it started out like a pimple so i poped it then like a day later i thought i could see a hair under the skin so i put a warm rag on it for a little while then stuck a needle to it to try to get the hair out but then i poped the hed off of it and there was no hair. so i dont know if i shoul see a doc or if i should just give it a while and save the money.

[blaze360]

A related discussion, im scared and need an answer was started.