Confused and really need help

[yeahgirl]

On Jun 7th I engaged in unprotected sex with someone that I am unsure of their history of STD's, although they claim to be "ok". About two days after I went to the doc with internal vaginal burning sensation. I was tested for the standard STD's (not herpes) and was clear. He said I had some clue cells started me Flagyl. Within 2 hours of taking Flagyl I felt sick, flu like, achy. Never had a fever, headache or full blown illness. After two days on Flagyl the burning subsided and they aches were gone. I went back the the doctor the following week just to be examined...the doctor said clue cells were gone and that I did not appear to have any "suspicious" things on/near my vagina. He said I was fine and not to worry.

I felt better. I went out of town for the last 5 days and it was VERY hot. I did a TON of walking (miles). Two nights ago when showering I felt a bump on my bikini line (outside of my vagina, near my leg). It did not hurt, I did not even notice it until I was cleaning myself. I do get ingrown hairs / skin irritations very easily.

Because I was worried, I examined and examined the bump. It was single and was raised like a bigger pimple. I could not stop myself so I attempted to "pop" it and see what would happen. It bleed a bit and a little fluid came out. I then left it alone....It was sensitive as it is right on my bikini line and my underwear and leg are constantly rubbing on it. The next day (today) it was a little sore, not too bad, only noticed it because of underwear line on it. No itching or general pain ever involved. So I looked at it again today and it had a small scab on it, looked like it was healing...but I picked it again...and now it is an open sore and has clear fluid coming out. It is inflamed and raised. I do not see any hairs in it. It look like there is white stuff in it but it cannot be popped.The sore itself is flat, but the edges are raised a bit. I 'm embarrassed to go the doc AGAIN. Does this sound like a herpes sore?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It sounds like folliculitis ( a skin infection or "boil" to me and that's what the doctor thought on examining you.  This is not herpes.  You do not need testing but this thread needs to end.  No further questions please.  Please take the cephalexin. If the boil is not better in 2-3 days you may need another antibiotic.  EWH

[yeahgirl]

Ok...my anxiety got the best of me. I went into urgent care today to have the sore looked at it. The doctor said it was not a herpes lesion but looked like I had infected a hair follicle and said there was another inflamed hair follicle higher up as well. She prescribed me Cephalixen (sp?) and said I should take that for the infection. She said the sore was not a "crater" and when she pushed on it there was pus...she also said that it was raised and did not look like a herpes lesion....so I guess I am "ok".

One little second thought: Should I have had her tested it anyways? I mean I was just so relieved to hear her say not herpes, I kinda forgot to ask. Also, I still feel achy in the buttocks and legs...could this be caused by the infection that I do have?? (Keep in mind I felt like I had a fever of about 101 when I went in today, and it was really 98.3!)

Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Last answers.  I'm not totally clear on the timing of your sex and lesion appearance however lesions typically appear 3-7 days after exposure and for first episodes last 10-14 days after they first appear.  They are classically painful to the touch although some lesions are not painful.  My guess is that the soreness is the result of irritation from where you were squeezing it but, to be clear on my prior comment- trying to guess is really not good use of your time when you could answer your question with a culture.  EWH

[yeahgirl]

Thanks again...

One last question, would it be typical that herpes sore mostly appear at the same time? I have just in the last hour or so felt like a tingling sensation on my clitoral area that is new...Is it common that one herpes sore appears and then several more the next day or following days? Im just feeling a little tingly all over down there now.

Also, there is no pain on this sore. Even when I press on it through underwear it is not sore or painful. Would a herpes sore be painful to the touch?

Thanks again for your time and patience.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, in fact many episodes of folliculitis  do not have visible hairs when they occur.

the stinging of any open sore when urine gets on it is typical.

As I said, if you are concerned, the only way to be sure is to go see a health care providers (sooner than later) and have a culture or PCR taking from the lesion.  It does not sound like herpes but that is the only real way to tell. The sooner the better

If you decide to go get a culture, please let us know the result.  EWH

[yeahgirl]

Thanks for your response. I do have OCD and absolutely tend to think the worst and subsequently obsess on it...I apologize for this.

I do tend to have sensitivity skin...Just a few months ago formed a horrible cyst on upper part of bikini line (different side than this issue) and it took forever to go away. My concern is that the open sore has never happened to me like before. The bleeding was light when I picked it, just a few dabs and mostly clear fluid. It almost immediately went to flat and clear liquid. Now it remains a dime sized open sore.

If it was a hair follicle, would I not have found a hair in it after I opened the bump? It seems to be seeping a clear fluid whether I manipulate it or not....would this be an indication of herpes sore? It looks as if there is a hole in the middle of the sore.

Also, I noticed it stung just a bit when I went to the bathroom and some urine touched it.

Lastly, it seems that there is another bump that just developed close to the sore...just a bump, no color that I can see and is painfree..could this be the start of another herpes bump, if it is herpes?

I am sorry to sound so horribly ignorant and persistent. It really concerning to me that it might be actually be a herpes sore.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This does not sound like herpes for a number of reasons.  The single lesion that you describe does not sound like the multiple lesions more typical of herpes nor does the history after you discovered it. Herpes lesions have clear fluid in them from the outset and when they burst to form small ulcers, they do so without any squeezing and they do not bleed.  In addition, you have an excellent altenate explanation- the increased activity, along with your tendency to form ingrown hairs and the resulting folliculitis have probably resulted in a "hair bump".  Your manipulation (squeezing) is irritating it and could be leading to infection of the sore through picking and scratching.  If the redness or tenderness gets worse over the next day or two, please see a health care professional for some antibiotics.  I would not worry about herpes.  I WOULD worry about this place getting infected. Please stop picking at it and just keep it clean and dry unless it becomes red and more tender.  EWH