Inflammation/Irritation

About a month ago, I received a handjob with lotion as lubricant.  In the days that followed, I became extremely worried about contracting an STD either from the act itself or from the clean-up with a wet towel provided to me.  (I've become less so after finding this forum.)  Assuming the worst (infected woman with cuts/sores on her hands, towel rife with fluids), it seems that this is nothing to worry about.  However, I was experiencing itching so even though I couldn't see any lice, as a precaution I got lice shampoo (active ingredient Sodium Chloride) and used it a few times -- with the last time being three days ago.  My scrotum and the tip of my penis (where it likely would have rested against the pubic hair while the shampoo was setting) became inflamed yesterday.  I've tried athlete's foot cream for jock itch and hydrocortisone, neither of which has helped.  (I have been unable to find any information suggesting further irritation from or interactions between these treatments.)

Logically, I suspect that I have no STDs and that the irritation is due to the topical applications.  I've stopped using all of them and have a few questions:

(1) is there anything besides hypochondria that I might be suffering from?

(2) how long might this irritation last?

(3) is there anything that I might try to relieve things? or would that just cause more trouble?

Thank you much.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You asked essentially the same questions on the STD community forum 3.5 weeks ago.  Significantly, you titled that thread "Probably overreacting".  Precisely so.  The responses in that forum were correct, as is your own statement "Logically I suspect that I have no STDs...."

Hypochondria won't cause a visible rash, but repeated medication and minipulation might do so, and certainly people as irrationally anxious as you are can "see" skin problems that aren't abnormal at all.  Aside from anxiety, I won't speculate on the cause except to repeat that it isn't possibly an STD -- not only because you can't catch STDs by hand-genital contact, but no STD causes any such symptoms.   Not knowing the cause, I won't try to guess how long the symptoms may last.  What to do?  Isn't it obvious?  Stop trying to treat yourself.  Stop all treatments for a couple of weeks, and keep your hands off -- no rubbing, scratching etc.  Then see a health care provider to learn what you have and how best to treat it.  In the meantime, try to stop worrying about it.  There is no chance you have anythingt that can possibly be a serious health risk.

Let's not have an ongoing discussion.  Accept the fact that you have no STD and probably nothing related to the hand job, except for the possiblity of a link with your anxiety about that event.

Regards--  HHH, MD