Herpes or Poison Ivy?

[Hypochondriac88]

So just a few moments ago I noticed my pelvic region was itching (somewhat mild itch) and I discovered I was itching a small red bump.  After further examination I found that I have around 25 small red bumps, located sporadically (not really clustered) from near my scrotum, around the pelvis/upper thighs, and a couple reaching as far as the back of my left hip near my upper buttock.  Some of the bumps seem to have fluid in them but I'm not sure, they don't feel like they're filled with fluid as a pimple/blister would.  

I am sure I'll end up getting tested for sure but I was hoping to see if anyone could put my mind at ease sooner and tell me it's NOT herpes.  I am unaware of whether or not herpes outbreaks pop up so suddenly and spread out and not in clusters.  

Also on the poison ivy theory, I did JUST get back from a trip to North Carolina not a day ago and I was in a very wooded area that I know had poison ivy however I was wearing basketball shorts if not jeans at all times.  Hopefully it just got on my hands and spread to my pelvic region just from scratching there for no reason.  However I do not see any signs of a rash elsewhere on my body.  Please let me know what you think!

[Aelly]

I know you will be able to get through till tomorrow. Just focus on better things than this. Dont rely too much on webmd. I did that before with what I went through and some of the symptoms were legion to even choose from. Plus, that is one place in which people diagnose themselves way too often and with negative results.

[Hypochondriac88]

Wow, why does everything related with itching have to have nearly identical symptoms?!  After some further research I discovered that chiggers (common in North Carolina) gravitate towards warmer areas of the body (such as the waist-band / groin where I have the bumps) and leave little red bumps that appear to be filled with fluid... I just need to stop worrying until I get an official diagnosis.  

[Hypochondriac88]

oh by the way, I went to webMD first to try and diagnose myself and when I listed itching in the groin, pelvis, and genital area it didn't list herpes as a possible ailment.  Is itching in fact a symptom of herpes?

[Hypochondriac88]

Ok, thank you very much for being so informative.  I am almost positive that the bump that I spotted near my armpit is identical to the ones on my lower body so I'm really crossing my fingers it is poison ivy!

[Aelly]

You can have your poison ivy checked for a swab by the doctor. They can do a culture and determine whether or not you have herpes. Do not do anything that would agitate the bumps. Let the doctor take a look at them and pray for the best. If you didnt have these bumps, you would have to wait 3 to 4 months after exposure to get a conclusive result. You can get good indicators at 8 to 10 weeks. But, you get this done now with these present, you can get results right away.

[Hypochondriac88]

ahhh alright, I guess I'll just watch for rupturing.. although poison ivy also crusts and scabs over lol.. guess I'll really only know after I get tested.  Do you know if herpes would show up positive on blood tests as soon as a couple weeks after the sexual encounter in question?

[Aelly]

Herpes create blisters in which intentionally rupture on their own to create painful oozing sores. They crust over into scabs and typically heal 2-4 weeks. As for the bump near your armpit, it could be an isolated matter.

[Hypochondriac88]

Yes I have had sex within the last few weeks which is what's making me concerned it might be herpes.  I actually just found a similar bump (might be completely unrelated though) a couple inches under my armpit.. herpes doesn't spread that far.. does it?

[Aelly]

Only a physician can examine that for you, man. Herpes goes along the lines in appearances like poison Ivy, however, it doesn't necessarily mean you have herpes. Did you have a sexual exposure beforehand or recently?