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I'm starting to get concerned/Clusters of pimples
I am a 27 year old male and I have been with the same sexual partner for a little over a year now. I would say about 2 months ago I started noticing a little cluster (4 or so) of what looks whiteheads on my pubic area. They do not cause any burning or itching on there own. I scratched them on my own just to see if it would cause them to itch and if it does it is extremely mild and lasts a second. I don't have these clusters or anything at all on my actual penis, testicles or scrotum. I also have put rubbing alcohol on the area a few times and it appears to dry them out though not immediately. I shave once a week completelty in this area. What is starting to concern me is that they have now come back a few times. My girlfriend doesnt have anything that you can visually see on or around her vagina. Please help me out here. Also, can I send a picture of the area for someone to examine?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A red bump is a red bump. Before a herpes lesion turns into a vesicle (blister-like lesion), it doesn't look any different than a bug bite or any other thing that can cause a red bump. Looking at pictures won't help.
I was curious if you knew of a website that accurately shows what typical herpes lesions look like. I am curious of what red bumps look like before they turn into the blisters etc. Many thanks and I love what you do here :)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The only possible STD that could cause this is herpes. But herpes rarely recurs in the pubic area and does not really look like "whiteheads", i.e. with pus. Herpes lesions start as red bumps, then develop into superficial blister-like sores containing clear fluid, then progress to open sores with scabs. Recurrences are generally strictly limited to one side of the body's midline. Finally, you say the lesions have appeared "a few times" over 2 months. Herpes does not recur so often, typically every 1-4 months, with the skin appearing totally normal for a few weeks between outbreaks.
Most likely you have folliculitis, i.e. infection of hair follicles. Folliculitis is often triggered by shaving, especially if a person happens to be carrying certain bacteria (staph, strep) on their skin. Whether it is folliculitis or something else, you can pretty much forget herpes or any other STD as the cause.
Don't both attaching a photo; we don't examine clinical photos on this forum. Just visit a health care provider to know for sure what is going on. In the meantime, wash with soap and water a couple of times daily and stop shaving in the area for at least a month.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Most likely you have folliculitis, i.e. infection of hair follicles. Folliculitis is often triggered by shaving, especially if a person happens to be carrying certain bacteria (staph, strep) on their skin. Whether it is folliculitis or something else, you can pretty much forget herpes or any other STD as the cause.
Don't both attaching a photo; we don't examine clinical photos on this forum. Just visit a health care provider to know for sure what is going on. In the meantime, wash with soap and water a couple of times daily and stop shaving in the area for at least a month.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
I forgot to mention that when the cluster of what looks like pimples go away they do not cause a cut, sore, blisters or lesions.
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.
