Aa
Recurent Issue
Hello
I have a recurrent issue on the shaft of my penis. Now I have to admit that this lesion doesn't much look or act like herpes. But here is what I see: I see about 5-6 small oval shaped spots of peeled skin, but these spots are very very hard to see. In fact, here are the circumstances in which I would be able to see them: Under day light (I could not even imagine seeing them when I am inside a house with good lighting), even being in sunlight the light has to hit the area the right way to see these and finnaly the penis skin has to be dry (when my skin is moist the spots disapear). Needless to say there is not pain/redness/itchiness associated with these spots and there is no soreness.
Now the only thing that worries me about these spots is this is the second time I have seen them in the same area in the past 3 months.
I have never been tested for herpes but i have tested negative for all other STDs recently.
Anything to worry about here?
I have a recurrent issue on the shaft of my penis. Now I have to admit that this lesion doesn't much look or act like herpes. But here is what I see: I see about 5-6 small oval shaped spots of peeled skin, but these spots are very very hard to see. In fact, here are the circumstances in which I would be able to see them: Under day light (I could not even imagine seeing them when I am inside a house with good lighting), even being in sunlight the light has to hit the area the right way to see these and finnaly the penis skin has to be dry (when my skin is moist the spots disapear). Needless to say there is not pain/redness/itchiness associated with these spots and there is no soreness.
Now the only thing that worries me about these spots is this is the second time I have seen them in the same area in the past 3 months.
I have never been tested for herpes but i have tested negative for all other STDs recently.
Anything to worry about here?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Some herpes outbreaks include "aborted" lesions which start out as red bumps then resolve within 2-3 days, without going on to the vesicle (blister) stage. But the surface of a vesicle is dead skins, so once a vesicle developes, it has to scab or ulcerate as it heals.
This isn't the only reason I know your lesions aren't herpes. The overall description makes herpes more or less impossible. Stop overthinking it. And stop trying to talk me (and yourself) into believing you have herpes. Isn't the easiest thing to just accept the reassurance at face value and move on with your life?
This thread now is truly over. Any more comments and I will delete the entire thread.
This isn't the only reason I know your lesions aren't herpes. The overall description makes herpes more or less impossible. Stop overthinking it. And stop trying to talk me (and yourself) into believing you have herpes. Isn't the easiest thing to just accept the reassurance at face value and move on with your life?
This thread now is truly over. Any more comments and I will delete the entire thread.
Excellent question!!
Doc
I know you have said the thread is over but I would really appreciate it if you could answer me the following general question about Herpes lesions. Your answer would really help me deferenciate between insignificant lesions and serious ones. By the way I did go to a doctor who told me that what I had was not herpes.
Anyways my question is: Do Herpes lesions always ulcerate? I do sometimes see spots of oval shaped peeled spots on my penis and these do not look like sores and the skin beneth the peeling looks like normal skin (not raw, red or anything) and needless to say it doesn't scab or crust. So in your experience do herpes lesion always lead to a cut/sore/ulcer? or can blisters sometimes just subside with no ulceration and maybe some small hard to see peeling?
I really would like to hear from you as this would help me look at my penis less. Thanks
I know you have said the thread is over but I would really appreciate it if you could answer me the following general question about Herpes lesions. Your answer would really help me deferenciate between insignificant lesions and serious ones. By the way I did go to a doctor who told me that what I had was not herpes.
Anyways my question is: Do Herpes lesions always ulcerate? I do sometimes see spots of oval shaped peeled spots on my penis and these do not look like sores and the skin beneth the peeling looks like normal skin (not raw, red or anything) and needless to say it doesn't scab or crust. So in your experience do herpes lesion always lead to a cut/sore/ulcer? or can blisters sometimes just subside with no ulceration and maybe some small hard to see peeling?
I really would like to hear from you as this would help me look at my penis less. Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're wrong. It simply is not true that "herpes can be anything" (or that "anything" can be herpes, which is what you actually mean). And nowhere near 90% of infected people are asymptomatic. At least half who didn't notice symptoms come to recognize outbreaks after a positive blood test alerts them that they are infected with HSV-2.
And in response to the follow-up question I forgot to comment on: I absolutely recommend that you do not repeatedly inspect your penis. That's a good route to only one possible outcome, especially for someone as anxious as you are: you'll just find additional minor variations in penile skin appearance that are meaningless.
Please accept the reassurance; see a dermatologist; and move on. End of thread.
And in response to the follow-up question I forgot to comment on: I absolutely recommend that you do not repeatedly inspect your penis. That's a good route to only one possible outcome, especially for someone as anxious as you are: you'll just find additional minor variations in penile skin appearance that are meaningless.
Please accept the reassurance; see a dermatologist; and move on. End of thread.
I guess my paranoid brain is telling me that if 90% of people who have it don't know it, then Herpes can be anything, even something as faint as this.
Your response makes much sense and it is reassuring. Thank you very much
Your response makes much sense and it is reassuring. Thank you very much
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
See my reply above.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your description of the penile skin spots is very clear. While I cannot make a definite diagnosis, herpes clearly is not the cause as you apparently understand yourself. Herpes simply does not look or behave the way you describe. The only "behavior" that suggests herpes, and probably the reason it is on your mind, is that your penis is involved and the spots have recurred. But any rash that can involve any part of the body can sometimes appear in the genital area; and many kinds of skin rash persist or recur.
One possibility for this sort of thing is a condition called lichen planus, a superfical fungal infection that commonly involves the penis. LP would be especially likely if there is a purple sheen when you stretch the skin. It's not at all serious and easily treated. But that's only a guess, and there are many other possibilities.
Your own description below ("paranoid about having" genital herpes) implies that my reassurance along will not calm your anxiety about it. The solution to your concern about herpes is to learn the exact cause of the problem, and the way to do that is to see a provider. A dermatologist would be an excellent choice. There is no point in trying to find a definitive answer from online searching, on this forum or any other source.f
Finally, in response to your follow-up comment below, it is not true that herpes lesions are "hard to see". People who are asymptomatic generally have typical lesions that would be easy to spot if looked for. They are asymptomatic only in that they can be painless and in a location not easily observed, like in a skin crease or, in women, the inside of the labia. But not because the lesions themselves are so subtle. Some people are completely asymptomatic, with no lesions at all -- but the faint skin anomalies you are not suggestive of herpes.
Bottom line: See your primary care provider or a dermatologist that s/he may recommend. But from your description, you have no worries about herpes.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
One possibility for this sort of thing is a condition called lichen planus, a superfical fungal infection that commonly involves the penis. LP would be especially likely if there is a purple sheen when you stretch the skin. It's not at all serious and easily treated. But that's only a guess, and there are many other possibilities.
Your own description below ("paranoid about having" genital herpes) implies that my reassurance along will not calm your anxiety about it. The solution to your concern about herpes is to learn the exact cause of the problem, and the way to do that is to see a provider. A dermatologist would be an excellent choice. There is no point in trying to find a definitive answer from online searching, on this forum or any other source.f
Finally, in response to your follow-up comment below, it is not true that herpes lesions are "hard to see". People who are asymptomatic generally have typical lesions that would be easy to spot if looked for. They are asymptomatic only in that they can be painless and in a location not easily observed, like in a skin crease or, in women, the inside of the labia. But not because the lesions themselves are so subtle. Some people are completely asymptomatic, with no lesions at all -- but the faint skin anomalies you are not suggestive of herpes.
Bottom line: See your primary care provider or a dermatologist that s/he may recommend. But from your description, you have no worries about herpes.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
More info: you might be wondering how I even spoted these spots in the first place, well I admit I do check my penis (in daylight) daily because I am paranoid about having the disease. This raises abother Q; how hard to you have to look to spot a herpetic lesions, my readings of these forums have informed me that Herpes can be extremely hard to see (hence the reason 90% of the people don't know they have it). do you recomend such close daily inspections? or would it be fairly ovious when i am having an outbreak.
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
