Desperation setting in.

[Maybe_Crazy]

I asked a question a few days ago and I decided to get another question in as I am in a very very desperate sittuation!

My sexual history: five times condom protected sex with a CSW, no Other contacts at all during a period of 2 years.

I did a herpeselect test at my local STD clinic at least 12 months after the last of these contacts and tested Negative for HSV2.

However, I have devoloped a lesion that is worrying me a great deal. This is the history of the lesion: at first I noticed a peeled skin area thing on my foreskin I freaked out and went to a dermatologist who reasured me that the lesion was not Herpes, and I knew it didn't even look close to what herpes lesions look like (I am a reader of this forum). But this lesion persisted for 4-5 weeks and now after having sex with my girlfriend I noticed that the peeled skin lesion has gotten worse and I noticed some areas of it have formed what I hesitantly call abberated areas. All around these abberated areas remain the peeling and some scaly skin. My assumption is that the peeled skin lesions I had just got irritated by friction from sex.  I went back to my dermatologist and she looked at them again and said they do not look like herpes.

But I do worry a lot because no matter how the leasions progressed or started out they are still abberated areas and I know herpes is the most common cause of these sort of lesions.

So how do I resolve this issue as I am not sleeping or eating overwhelmed with worry. I worry about that my herpeselect test 12 months after exposure is a false negative. Do you recomend I get a Westernblot? a bioKit test? Or do you thing my lesion is not typical enough to override a negative hsv2 test?

Thank you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It's a penile zit, i.e. a pimple not herpes.  Herpes lesions don't occur around hair follicles.

I meant what I said with "this thread is over".  I will not keep responding to anxiety-driven follow-up comments.  One more and I will delete the entire thread without further comment.

[Maybe_Crazy]

I have returned with more news. After this bout mentioned above I have developed a pimple on my shaft. This pimple came 15 days after the mentioned lesion above and it is located in a totally different area of the penis(different side even).

This pimple is located towards the bottom part of the shaft just outside of the hairy area. and it looks like a folliculitis infection. for the following two reasons:

1. It is a single pimple that has subsided without scabbing over. Just subsided like other folliculitis bumps in my body (beard, back etc...)

2. This bump had hair sticking out of it.

My question: any chance in hell this is herpes???? it is on the shaft...

I know you might be thinking I am completely crazy by now but sir I am just lost at all these symptoms. I would really appreciate it if you would give me your quick assessment of the latest lesion. went out too soon (within 3 days) to have a doc look at it.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It's only a skin problem, for goodness' sake!  So what if it happens to be on your penis??  Every one of the hundreds of things that can cause either rashes or just varied appearance of the skin can involve the penis.  Whatever it is clearly isn't anything harmful or the dermatologist would have told you so and managed the probelm accordingly.  Time to move on -- or to consider counseling if you cannot. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.  Either way, this thread is over.

[Maybe_Crazy]

Ok, I appreciate your input, I hope you understand my extreem distress over the situation. I shall not ask any more questions. Thank you to you and to Dr. Hook.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You get two for the price of one here.  I agree totally with Dr. Handsfield on all counts.  Your are obsessing over this despite the fact that there is nothing in your detailed descriptions that suggest HSV to either of us, nor your dermatologist., not to mention you negative blood tests.  The time has come for you to accept that this is not HSV and to seek assistance in helping to accept that while also working with your dermatologist to clear up the non-STD rash that you note on your penis.  I say this with all sincerity.  EWH

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This should have been a follow-up to your existing thread.  Only a limited number of new questions can be accepted, and superflous ones block others with new questions.  In any case, based on a quick look at the other question and Dr. Hook's advice, I doubt there is anything more he or this forum can do for you.  You have seen a dermatologist and he assured you that the lesion isn't herpes.  Therefore, that also is my opinion (and also will be Dr. Hook's).  Forums like this cannot every substitute for direct care by a physician.

Sorry.

HHH, MD