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Help! Symptoms Past 9 months
Hi Doctors,
It's been about 9-10 months since my first symptom and I'm having some mental problems from all the stress, reoccurring bumps, and not knowing for sure... It's seems so odd that it's on the Glans Penis (head) and that the first symptom appeared 2-3 days after sex.
Your help with these images (NSFW) is greatly appreciated. You can zoom in by clicking the image:
1) http://i.imgur.com/rzbMUky.jpg
2) http://i.imgur.com/HZonH6U.jpg
3) http://i.imgur.com/yB5x2Gg.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/ePYeMEa.jpg
Image 1 - This was 9 months ago and my first symptom on my penis head/glands. I noticed it 2 days after having sex. I went to the dermatologist 3 days later and by then the missing skin turned into a scab about the size of .5mm and they took a biopsy of it. This was the first odd thing I noticed on my penis....Biopsy + Blood Results Neg and I haven't had any symptom since resemble this image.
Image 2 - Since my first symptom I’ve had at least 4 or more scabs like these to the left and right of my penis head. Starts off as a scab, then 1-2 weeks later it gets smaller and disappears. They are smaller around 1mm and i’ve never had these until my first symptom. They are always solitary and on the glans. Does this look like an STD?
Image 3 - 4 months after my first symptom (5 months ago), I noticed this solitary bump on the right half of my penis glans resembling a "white head". After the white head peaks in size it comes off naturally. It then heals resembling the scab in image 2 and becomes somewhat flat. The flat bump is always there if I look for it but very faint.
This precise solitary bump has turned into a raised pinkish/red bump --> then white head --> then small scab at least 5 times! This exact bump is reoccurring. Does this look like an STD?
I've read that pimples do not occur on the nonkeratinized skin of the uncircumcised glans (head) or underside of the foreskin. Is this true?
It's been about 9-10 months since my first symptom and I'm having some mental problems from all the stress, reoccurring bumps, and not knowing for sure... It's seems so odd that it's on the Glans Penis (head) and that the first symptom appeared 2-3 days after sex.
Your help with these images (NSFW) is greatly appreciated. You can zoom in by clicking the image:
1) http://i.imgur.com/rzbMUky.jpg
2) http://i.imgur.com/HZonH6U.jpg
3) http://i.imgur.com/yB5x2Gg.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/ePYeMEa.jpg
Image 1 - This was 9 months ago and my first symptom on my penis head/glands. I noticed it 2 days after having sex. I went to the dermatologist 3 days later and by then the missing skin turned into a scab about the size of .5mm and they took a biopsy of it. This was the first odd thing I noticed on my penis....Biopsy + Blood Results Neg and I haven't had any symptom since resemble this image.
Image 2 - Since my first symptom I’ve had at least 4 or more scabs like these to the left and right of my penis head. Starts off as a scab, then 1-2 weeks later it gets smaller and disappears. They are smaller around 1mm and i’ve never had these until my first symptom. They are always solitary and on the glans. Does this look like an STD?
Image 3 - 4 months after my first symptom (5 months ago), I noticed this solitary bump on the right half of my penis glans resembling a "white head". After the white head peaks in size it comes off naturally. It then heals resembling the scab in image 2 and becomes somewhat flat. The flat bump is always there if I look for it but very faint.
This precise solitary bump has turned into a raised pinkish/red bump --> then white head --> then small scab at least 5 times! This exact bump is reoccurring. Does this look like an STD?
I've read that pimples do not occur on the nonkeratinized skin of the uncircumcised glans (head) or underside of the foreskin. Is this true?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the summary. I'm answering strictly on the basis of this information.
This doesn't sound like herpes. On one hand, recurrences typically occur in more or less the same area each time. However, almost never in exactly the same spot. Second, most herpes recurrences have more than one lesion. Single ones are possible, but not every time.
On the other hand, an underlying cyst, blocked pore, etc behave exactly as you describe, and I think you have something along those lines. I think you're right about the low frequency of standard pimples on the glans, but I see no reason that a sebaceous cyst or similar problem might not do so. Another idea is that there may be an abnormal connection -- a minor congenital anomaly in the form of an abnormal connection with your urethra. And by the way, seeing photos of this would not possibly change my opinion about all this. Any of these things could like identical to one another; you're never going to have any clearer diagnosis just by visual inspection photographically, and probably not by in-person exam.
Finally, your negative HSV-2 blood tests are additional strong evidence against herpes. Genital HSV-1 rarely recurs so frequently or so regularly, and I agree that it is statistically most likely anyway that your positive HSV-1 test distant past oral infection, probably since childhood.
While I didn't read your entire first posts, I do note you have seen three (!) different dermatologists, and it sounds like they all agree this isn't herpes. Trust me on this: herpes is a garden variety, everyday issue for any dermatologist. You can rely on their opinions.
If you would like to pursue the actual diagnosis further, consider discussing the possibility of surgical removal with one of your dermatologists; or seeing a urologist with the same idea. But in the meantime, you really needn't be worried. This certainly isn't herpes.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
This doesn't sound like herpes. On one hand, recurrences typically occur in more or less the same area each time. However, almost never in exactly the same spot. Second, most herpes recurrences have more than one lesion. Single ones are possible, but not every time.
On the other hand, an underlying cyst, blocked pore, etc behave exactly as you describe, and I think you have something along those lines. I think you're right about the low frequency of standard pimples on the glans, but I see no reason that a sebaceous cyst or similar problem might not do so. Another idea is that there may be an abnormal connection -- a minor congenital anomaly in the form of an abnormal connection with your urethra. And by the way, seeing photos of this would not possibly change my opinion about all this. Any of these things could like identical to one another; you're never going to have any clearer diagnosis just by visual inspection photographically, and probably not by in-person exam.
Finally, your negative HSV-2 blood tests are additional strong evidence against herpes. Genital HSV-1 rarely recurs so frequently or so regularly, and I agree that it is statistically most likely anyway that your positive HSV-1 test distant past oral infection, probably since childhood.
While I didn't read your entire first posts, I do note you have seen three (!) different dermatologists, and it sounds like they all agree this isn't herpes. Trust me on this: herpes is a garden variety, everyday issue for any dermatologist. You can rely on their opinions.
If you would like to pursue the actual diagnosis further, consider discussing the possibility of surgical removal with one of your dermatologists; or seeing a urologist with the same idea. But in the meantime, you really needn't be worried. This certainly isn't herpes.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Ok, sorry about that. I must have lots of medical history. I can’t find where to edit my post…
Question:
I have a solitary bump on the glans penis that has turned into a raised pinkish/red bump --> then white head --> white head peaks in size and naturally comes off —>becomes small scab —> bump becomes faint. This process has happened at least 5 times with this precise bump.
I've read that pimples do not occur on the glans head. Is this true? If so, then what is happening to me? What could be reoccurring like this.
I had blood work (IgG) 8 months since first symptom and I’m negative for everything except HSV1… I could have had HSV1 for a while since my parents have it.
This is most likely impossible to diagnose with out images, but any help is appreciated.
Next options:
Do I get blood work again at 11 months? Should I try cotton swab white head for pathology report?
Question:
I have a solitary bump on the glans penis that has turned into a raised pinkish/red bump --> then white head --> white head peaks in size and naturally comes off —>becomes small scab —> bump becomes faint. This process has happened at least 5 times with this precise bump.
I've read that pimples do not occur on the glans head. Is this true? If so, then what is happening to me? What could be reoccurring like this.
I had blood work (IgG) 8 months since first symptom and I’m negative for everything except HSV1… I could have had HSV1 for a while since my parents have it.
This is most likely impossible to diagnose with out images, but any help is appreciated.
Next options:
Do I get blood work again at 11 months? Should I try cotton swab white head for pathology report?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately, your question is too long. The reason for the limit (2,000 characters, about 400 words) is to require the initial question to fit in the window provided. The moderators have neither the time nor the energy go read long essays! And there has never been a problem on the forum that could not be adequately described within the official limit.
In addition, we do not examine clinical photos on this forum. We are not dermatologists, and in our view this comes too close to practicing medicine from a distance. As made clear in MedHelp's disclaimer message, an online forum is not intended as a substitute for direct medical care.
So please compress your question to under 2,000 characters (in fact, do your best to make it quite a bit less), and delete the links -- then re-post in another comment window below. Then I will respond as best I can.
Regards-- HHH, MD
In addition, we do not examine clinical photos on this forum. We are not dermatologists, and in our view this comes too close to practicing medicine from a distance. As made clear in MedHelp's disclaimer message, an online forum is not intended as a substitute for direct medical care.
So please compress your question to under 2,000 characters (in fact, do your best to make it quite a bit less), and delete the links -- then re-post in another comment window below. Then I will respond as best I can.
Regards-- HHH, MD
I’ve seen a Dermatologist with the bump in Image 3 twice and he assures me it’s not an STD and it's time to move on and to trust the accuracy of the blood work.
It's difficult because I don't know what these bumps yet, why I keep getting them on the glans of all places.
I find them highly suspicious because I got my first symptom 2 DAYS after I had a sex and they are on the glans penis which is odd. My penis was fine before. Now it seems like every month there is at least one thing that appears.
I had a full STD blood work panel at 8 months since first symptom (IgG for HSV1-2) and it’s neg for everything except HSV-1.
IDK how long I’ve had HSV-1 for... I know my family get scold sores so the doc can’t conclude if these are causing my serious concerns.
Any help and input means a lot to me. I'm thinking the next option is to swab the white head and hopefully get some info of what the pus is and get blood work at 11 months again.
I've seen 3 dermatologists in person and they've looked at the bump (some without magnifying glass) and they just refer to the blood work. They say it's not herpes b/c herpes are painful clusters of blisters.
However I read online from someone who said his herpes sores are painless, hard to notice, and solitary.
Can you tell by the images if they look like an STD? I have more pictures with better focus if needed.
Thanks for your help.
It's difficult because I don't know what these bumps yet, why I keep getting them on the glans of all places.
I find them highly suspicious because I got my first symptom 2 DAYS after I had a sex and they are on the glans penis which is odd. My penis was fine before. Now it seems like every month there is at least one thing that appears.
I had a full STD blood work panel at 8 months since first symptom (IgG for HSV1-2) and it’s neg for everything except HSV-1.
IDK how long I’ve had HSV-1 for... I know my family get scold sores so the doc can’t conclude if these are causing my serious concerns.
Any help and input means a lot to me. I'm thinking the next option is to swab the white head and hopefully get some info of what the pus is and get blood work at 11 months again.
I've seen 3 dermatologists in person and they've looked at the bump (some without magnifying glass) and they just refer to the blood work. They say it's not herpes b/c herpes are painful clusters of blisters.
However I read online from someone who said his herpes sores are painless, hard to notice, and solitary.
Can you tell by the images if they look like an STD? I have more pictures with better focus if needed.
Thanks for your help.
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.
