Herpes Symptoms Question

Greetings -I have read quite a bit here but havnt seen my exact combinations of symptoms - so here goes in bullet point-

1. September 30 and November 24- sex unprotected (condom came off)  shaved whole pubic area around December 1 (I have done this regularly for a few years)

2. December 14 notice a couple small pearly white "pimples" in pubic area above penis. They are kind of shiny looking with a little reddness. Couple days later discovered a few more a couple at the base of the penis, a couple on scrotum. Two small whitehead looking bumps on the shaft. None are bunched together. This began freaking me out pretty much. These have pretty much remained the same since then - they arent growing, opening, or "crusting" - just stay mainly the same - althogh one looks like it has filled a bit like a big whitehead ripe for popping.

3. About December 18 start feeling burning pain mainly along area between scrotum and thigh from point where leg meets the pubic area down between legs to anus. Burning is mainly around scrotum area though. Also it feels more moist than usual there and is kind of sticky feeling when I move. No rash or red inflamation (inflammation) that I can find anywhere. Just burning and sometimes burning in my thighs (mainly left on the top part). Burning is mainly when I am seated or still - if I get up and move around it can almost immediately stop and feels pretty normal. From time to time it feels like my testicles or maybe scrotum is swollen and they seem to hang lower like theyre bigger. (Use to masturbate quite a bit -once a day at least-since this started I have masturbated only twice. Sometimes knuckles seem to turn a bright red during these symptms

4. December 20 Went to my Dr but saw a physicians asst. He looked and almost immediately said its not herpes. He didnt give me any other possibilities when I explained the burning but he was like "It's not herpes" and it was like he was in a hurry to get to the next patient. He did a culture from one or two of the "pimples" and said check December 26. I did and he said they use a new lab and it will be next week. I said the "pimples" are still there and havnt changed. He said if herpes they should have already opened and started to heal away by now.

5. December 29 and 30 sumptoms were greatly reduced, althogh "pimples" still there. Also noticed the "stickiness" between scrotum and thigh was not there. Then December 31 the burning picked up again. Today it seems symptoms are not as bad as last week but burning between legs is still noticeable especially if I sit for awhile. "Stickiness" is back too a little bit.

6. So from reading about symptoms I still suspect herpes, but it seems the white pimples I have are not what herpes looks like but everywhere I read its like herpes can be anything from raging red inflamed sores to no physical sign of anything at all.
So I guess this post is to ask if not herpes what could this be?
Thank you -

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your symptoms don't sound like herpes and a health care provider has said that's not it--so that's also my opinion.  From your description, it sounds like he knew what he was talking about.  Among other things, herpes lesions rarely occur in the pubic area.  Folliculitis sounds like the best.  I don't know what to make of your description of increased moisture ("stickiness") you describe, or pain in the groin, but these symptoms clearly have nothing to do with herpes, folliculitis, or any STD.  (However, if you are overweight, the moisture may increase your risk of being colonized with staph, strep, or other bacteria that can cause folliculitis.  But that's just speculation on my part.)

Continue to follow up with your own provider; or if not confident in his (or his physician assistant's) STD knowledge, visit your local health department STD clinic.  But you can forget herpes as the cause of this problem.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Januaryfreakout]

Also to mention these "pimples" do not seem to be painful. Althogh rarely the burning feeling is in the pubic hair area but mainly between the legs.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional information doesn't change anything. Burning in that location is not a symptom of any STD.

[Englishman]

The development and location of your skin lesions reminds me of how my molluscum infection started.

Molluscum can be differentiated from folliculitis because the lesions are painless and do NOT have a hair in the centre (whereas folliculitis is centred around a hair follicle).


If it is molluscum, the following may help:

Lesions of a mature size (>2mm) often have a small dimple in the centre.

If you squeeze a lesion, a hardish white core will come out (on closer inspection, this core often looks like it is made of tiny white balls) and it will bleed intensely but stop bleeding very quickly.

Be aware that other things can resemble immature molluscum (penile cysts etc) which when squeezed may become infected and painfull.

A GUM clinician / dermatologist will be able to diagnose molluscum with realtive ease.

Good luck.

[Januaryfreakout]

Thank you Dr for your quick reply - it is very reassuring and helps a great deal until I get some kind of test result. I called my Dr today for the test result from the culture they took from a couple of these whitehead things but they tell me now the lab sent it to another lab or something so it will be next Monday  : (    Today I went ahead and made an appointment with my local health department for day after tomorrow figuring they will be very knowledgable and they specialize in this stuff. Even if its not herpes (which I am feeling much more confident that it is not) I need to find out what happened here - I have never had anything ike this. Today my burning is almost non-existent and I'm feeling much better. The "stickiness" I referred to is like extra moisture between the scrotum and thigh area - like if yo work out and sweaty when you tug at your scrotum it kind of sticks to the thigh - like extra moisture - same kinda thing on underside of penis when it lies against scrotum. Just as an aside sometimes it seems like my feet were sweating too and sometimes palms but that is reduced too.

And thanks Englishman for your input, I will look into Moluscum (molluscum) and learn about that - the little I have learned so far is at least it goes away!  : )

[Januaryfreakout]

Just as FYI - I'm not overweight - 6 foot and 170 pounds so the "moisture" issue seems to me to be some type of symptom

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Such moisture isn't an indication of any abnormal medical condition, and certainly not of any STD.

[Januaryfreakout]

Diagnosis - Went to the STD clinic today and the swab in the penis test was clear, but painful and now the tip of my penis is all red and swollen a bit - I assume that will go down soon. It's looking like Englishman hit the nail on the head (pardon the pun) - Molluscum Contagiosum - So I'm off now for detailed research on it - those little round pearly white "pimples" with the slightest red ring around them are the tell-tale sign. Thanks for all the input on this site - it helped me a GREAT deal as I was pretty freaked out for a couple of weeks -this forum works very well. Good luck to everyone!

[Englishman]

Thanks for posting back, I'm always curious to find out what the official diagnosis is.

My molluscum have taken 7 months to fully clear. There is no sign of them at all now. I probably had about 10 lesions pop up over the last 9 months. Get asked to be shown the self-removal method, it works a treat. Don't bother with freezing - unless in a more awkward or potenitally risky place on your genitals. Freezing leaves scars that take (in my case) 3 months to fully clear. Self-removal scars clear fully in 2 weeks.

Best of luck.

[Januaryfreakout]

Hey Englishman - glad to hear it is cleared - so you are a veteran-
1. Some say pierce them and get the core out as they pop up - so far I am leaning towards this method. Today I looke dand eitehr I'm fantazizing or some look smaller or are gone. Can they do that and if one is gone does that mean he's not coming back there? I dont have many and it seems popping out the cores could be the way to go. Maybe then cover them with some useful cream.

2. Some use creams, or salves - do any work well?

3. Physical removal i.e. freezing seems to be a bit extreme to me

4. Any experience with that Phillips Molluscum Treatment System? It seems too good to be true but they built a decent looking website.

And by the way did you have any other side symptoms?

I still get a burning feeling in my thighs from time to time - mainly in evening it seems, somtimes forearms and knee/shin but the thigh and pubic area have the most discomfort when I do experience it, which isd not constant. It is not as severe as it was about a week and a half ago, and now that I'm not so freaked out I think I can feel it may be an irritation simply sourced from the pubic area. Anyway - just some questions that seem to be on my mind these days. Thanks for ANY insight tips/tricks you can share -

[Englishman]

Doc - in case any of the following is incorrect, please correct me.

Mate, anxiety causes all sorts of problems. Before I was diagnosed with molluscum I got into the self-diagnosis (via internet) paranoia. The doc here saved my sanity.

Your body sensations are in your head (like mine were) forget about them and they will go.

To answer your questions:

1. The self removal method is the best (just keep everything sterilised to avoid infection and ask a GUM / dermatologist to show you how). If they are shrinking naturally then I would leave them - they will defintely go on their own.

2. You do not need any creams, leave the area sterile and dry.

3. Freezing is not worth it unless in a place that makes a good old squeeze risky.

4. Do NOT go for any internet molluscum solution. These websites are an attempt to shaft you for your well earned cash. They only work because people use the method and then the molluscum eventually go away BUT molluscum go away anyway so you might as well eat a sugar cube!

My only other side symptoms were purely psychological that manifested themselves in a physical way i.e. stress, lack of sleep, obsessively checking my genitals (and noticing every normal imperfection), not being able to eat, being tired etc

In a way go can "feel" a molluscum but it is so subtle that you magnify the sensation to other extremities...so in a way can you really feel them? Never under estimate psychosomatic effects - that is the one thing I have really learnt. (Plus always go and see a decent doctor).

In 7 months times you will be writing the same things as me...good luck.

[Januaryfreakout]

Thanks for the info Englishman -

I think I've got a good understanding of this thing now. Yesterday I saw the STD clinic and it was pretty much visually confirmed MC - I made an appointment with my GP for further consultsation/exam/treatment options - but I have seen that many say its important to stsrt cleaning out these cores early on. I think I can do the needle and pop routine with all the right equipment so should I go ahead and start now on the few I see or wait to see my Dr -which is not until 5 days. I first sighted thes eguys around mid-december so it will be going on a month and I'm pretty gung ho to start knocking them out. Plus I hear that starting to pop and irritate them will make my body start to fight them more too. So thats sounds like a good thing. I've also staarted taking a B-complex vitamin and a genereal multi-vitamin.

I agree with you Englishman - I have learned a ton about the power of the mind, effect of attitude, and my body. Since mid-december I've lost about 10 pounds. This foray into learning about whats out there and the pictures of things I've seen makes a monks life look pretty attractive.

[Englishman]

I think most pics on the internet of molluscum, genital warts etc are extreme cases where people waited ages before treatment.

Waiting 5 days to see your doctor is a good idea- this small waiting time is irrelevant to the duration of the underlying infection (a few months to 2 years - in extreme cases).

Eating healthy is always a good idea but I would not go over the top because it probably makes negligible difference (unless you are particularly unhealthy).

I expressed the core by squeezing the lesion between my finger nails (I never used a needle). You must make sure that everything is completely sterile and remember the core is particularly infectious so chuck it away straight away (if you a curious then have a look under a magnifying glass at the white core - it looks pretty cool). If the core is properly extracted (which it must be to avoid it regrowing) then it will bleed intensly for about a minute and then suddenly stop. Dab some antiseptic on, and leave the area to dry. I foudn the best time was about an hour before bed, wear a dressing gown and walk around with no pants on and the air drys the air and leaves a scab that will seal the wound. Larger lesions might require a dressing after removal - discuss this with your doctor.

As soon as I started treating them, most went away in a couple of months, then the odd one popped up randomnly for the next several months. I have had none for the last 2 months or so.

I'm not convinced I aquired mine from having sex because I had not had sex for 8 months before hand. They appeared about 3 weeks after shaving my pubic area and drying it with an old damp towl (not a good idea) - to me this seems like a potential source. Dr. Rockoff on the dermatology forum seems to think that they often just appear randomnly. Because it is such a mild infection and easy to treat not much research has been done and most is conflicting anyway. My provider said that I could carry on having sex straight after treatment because nearly everyone is immune (due to infection in childhood) anyway. I would be interested in yor provider view on this - could you post back with their response. In which country do you live?

[Januaryfreakout]

I will continue to post here and update with info and progress. I live in USA - Tennessee. I have started having the same feeling as you about potential source. I did have sex about 3 weeks before I noticed the first one on December 15, but I also shaved my pubic hair totally around beginning of December. I have done this regulary for over 5 years. I consider myself pretty darn healthy - 41 years old, in good shape, and I eat healthy already.

I will wait on my self treatment until I consult my Dr. I am curious to see what he will say. Now I'm a clean freak - I've got my soap and disinfectant wipes and I've all my laundry done. My anxiety is basically gone. I can look at my penis again and its like my old pal is back. When I was freaking out earlier everytime I looked at it I saw some new mark or the "beginnig" of some sore - and it just looked like a sad penis.

This morning I did a quick look and I dont think I can see more than 10 of them - now of course I'm thinking they may be in places I cant see - scalp seems like it could be a hassle. Every itch becomes a suspicion, bt I'm not going to let that freak me out. - I have taken concious steps to not touch the area unless necessary then wash hands immediately, and keep it covered at all times etc etc.

[Januaryfreakout]

A couple questions

1. Can an MC lesion appear on the penis itself?

2. How tough are these MC lesions? Will normal movement and rubbing against clothes during the day not cause them to break open?

3. What is their normal action? Do they grow to some point then break open to try to spread itself?

[Englishman]

Hi,

To answer you questions:


1. Yes, but if they are small, they are more easily confused with cysts etc. Freezing was effective for these lesions in my case - self removal would have been too difficult and a high chance I might disturn a natural feature (cyst, fordyce granule etc).

2. If they get to a stage where they are likely to break open, then they will be easy to remove yourself. Otherwise they are pretty tuff (mine never ruptured by themselves).

3. I think the lesions can go one of any 3 ways - shrink to nothing, stay the same for months, grow and eventually rupture.

Molluscum is a mild hassle - nothing more.

Good luck.

My best advice is do not get obseessive over it. Only treat obvious lesions. Do NOT look at your penis every day or really closely with a magnifying glass - you will convince yourself you have every skin disorder under the sun.

[Januaryfreakout]

Thanks for the info Englishman. I go to my Dr tomorrow at noon. I have not been obssessing at all. I rarely look closely but when I do it seems to not be spreading and may be reducing. They are sore every once in awhile too. Everywhere I read they make itout that the lesions have no feeling, but I can feel them espeially if clothing is tight or bunched u p against them. But other times it is like they are not there and cant feel them.

F.Y.I. - Today I was looking over a calendar since December 15 and realized what a crazy last 3 weeks its been, especially over Christmas. I spent December 22 through 27 visitng my brother's family in Virginia. And during that time I was still convinced this had to be herpes which really freaked me out, and that was during the worst part of the breakout and all the irritation and swelling I felt. Crazy! Absolutely crazy.

I will update tomorrow after my Dr visit.

[Januaryfreakout]

SAw the Dr and confirmed MC and agreed with my option for self removal. He mentioned the availability of the standard topical choices to make sure I knew of them.

Worked on some lesions tonight and started to get the feel on how these things are. They are tougher than you think. I havnt had much luck squeezing or popping like a pimple. The core just never comes out that way after piercing. So far using the needle point to pull the core out. Once I think I got the whole core if the area is smmoth to the touch I assume it tis out and seal it.

After a couple hours I have noticed a little pain in pubic area coming on and slightly into my thigh. I assume this is simply response to the procedures on the lesions.

After doing some I started wondering about scarring issues. I have read that they basically heal up without a scarr - is that the case most of the time?

[Englishman]

You must use your finger or thumb nails and squeeze UNDER the lesion (it is a different technique to squeezing a spot).

- Put a nail either side of the lesion, then press in to your body, then bring your nails together. The white hardish core will come out. Usually you apply pressure then suddenly your nails meet and the core comes out. The core is fully out if it bleeds a lot after. If it does not bleed, part of the core is still plugged.

It leaves a small dark purple scar for about 2 weeks.

Your feelings around your groin are psychosomatic from remembering the recent sensation of squeezing and applying mild trauma to your groin. Ignore the feeling.

Do not try and squeeze very small lesions - wait until they are ready.

Good luck.

[Januaryfreakout]

Well - its been a little over 2 weeks now since breaking open the first round of MC lesions - it went pretty well and some are all healed and cant be seen, a couple are still a little pink but I think they just need more time to fade. I have developed about 6 or 7 new ones, they are still very small mainly around the top base of the penis, and I think Ive got one coming up right near the penis opening on the head. I will wait till they are bigger to determine if I will give them the "treatment".

I am keeping all of them covered with liquid band aid stuff and they dont seem to be spreading much. I am continuing my vitamins and am hoping my body will start attacking these things aggressively.

Question: WHen the body is finally able to attack the MC to go away will they all just start shrinking at once and go away or do new ones just stop cropping up and the ones there just go away normally?