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STDs (Expert Forum)
Ingrown hair, infection, or herpes?
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Ingrown hair, infection, or herpes?
by cspan1, Nov 05, 2009 10:57PM
Wednesday (October 28th) morning I noticed a bump on the base of my penis in the hair line area where I trim and partially shave. It wasn't a water blister and is right next to the scotum. I plucked two hairs out of the the area. One hair had skin the middle to the base of the hair. I also pull a little skin away and tweazer and squeezed around the area. To my knowledge, the spot wasn't there on Tuesday. I used alcohol to swab the spot. Never looked like a blister. Prior to this situation, I hadnt been with anyone for over 2 months. The following Friday I had sex (1st time) with my curent girlfriend and made the spot bigger due to a very long sexual encounter. I have been putting neosporin on it since Saturday morning. When I put neosporin on it stays wet, otherwise it drys. It never hurts or itches. Herpes never crossed my mind but when I started reading online my heart sank. I am very nervous and embarrased. It is one spot, not multiple. It was small and got bigger due to the rough/abrasive sex. I squeezed the area and put a lot of alcohol on it. I can't tell if me messing with it turned it into what it is now or if it is herpes. It is kind of swollen and has a pink area circling it like an infection. It doesn't hurt to the touch or sting, but slightly firm under the spot. I did come down with the swine flu on the day before the spot was noticed. Please lend me some advice on my description. Its now Thursday (Nov. 5th) evening and the spot dries if i leave it alone with no ointment (unless I shower the skin in the center turns whitish due to it being wet, then red when dry). I have never had a spot like this is this area. I have tested positve for HSV 1, but haven't for HSV 2. Please help...
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Nov 06, 2009 08:00AM
, Nov 06, 2009 08:00AM
Welcome to our Forum. In preparing to address your question I looked at some of your other posts. The bottom line is that I agree with what my fried Terri has told you- there is really no reason for you to worry about herpes. Let's address why you need not be concerned about HSV and then I have another comment or tow.
The time course of this lesion, it's location and your description all suggest that this is not herpes but folliculitis, an infection of hair follicles. Folliculitis occurs when the pores in your skin get plugged. This allows that normal bacteria that are present on just about every-one's skin to grow and cause what is essentially a pimple. Some of these just appear as red bumps which may or may not be tender while others go on to actually form pimples. In either case, they can be accompanied by swelling of nearby lymph nodes (FYI, swollen lymph nodes are a totally non-specific indicator that your body is reacting to something. In your case, as frequently happens, your self-examination and manipulation may have caused a secondary bacterial infection which may go away by itself or may need a brief course of antibiotic. At this point, I would suggest the following:
- stop squeezing and otherwise manipulating the lesion. This cold make it worse as it appears to have already
- there is no need for ointments or creams at this ti me. Washing with soap, water and a wash cloth is all that is needed
-if it is not better in a day or two, you should see a health care provider for an examination and possibly antibiotics.
Now my comment. Your experience is a great example of both the strength and harm that searching the internet can do. there is much good information on the internet but also much mis-information. At the very least one needs to be cautious in looking for answers on the internet.
I hope these comments are helpful to you. Take care. EWH
The time course of this lesion, it's location and your description all suggest that this is not herpes but folliculitis, an infection of hair follicles. Folliculitis occurs when the pores in your skin get plugged. This allows that normal bacteria that are present on just about every-one's skin to grow and cause what is essentially a pimple. Some of these just appear as red bumps which may or may not be tender while others go on to actually form pimples. In either case, they can be accompanied by swelling of nearby lymph nodes (FYI, swollen lymph nodes are a totally non-specific indicator that your body is reacting to something. In your case, as frequently happens, your self-examination and manipulation may have caused a secondary bacterial infection which may go away by itself or may need a brief course of antibiotic. At this point, I would suggest the following:
- stop squeezing and otherwise manipulating the lesion. This cold make it worse as it appears to have already
- there is no need for ointments or creams at this ti me. Washing with soap, water and a wash cloth is all that is needed
-if it is not better in a day or two, you should see a health care provider for an examination and possibly antibiotics.
Now my comment. Your experience is a great example of both the strength and harm that searching the internet can do. there is much good information on the internet but also much mis-information. At the very least one needs to be cautious in looking for answers on the internet.
I hope these comments are helpful to you. Take care. EWH
Member Comments (4)
by cspan1, Nov 06, 2009 09:46AM
To: Edward W Hook, MD
Thank you for prompt response. Being that this is the 10th day without going away. For my own knowledge, after being exposed to hsv 2 how long before most will experience an outbreak? I ask because the last person I was with was well over 2 months ago. I haven't had anything like this before and found it unusual to get this spot in the genital region. What would the out break look like and does it typically show up with one lesion or multiple? Any other symptoms I should be looking for or noting? Sorry I'm a worst case senerio type of person?
by cspan1, Nov 06, 2009 11:55AM
To: Edward W Hook, MD
In reading my previous post to Terri, I wanted to make it clear I was sexually active with my previous girlfriend. But I hadn't been with her in over 2 months. Last Friday was the first time I had sex with my new girlfriend. Anyway, interested to see your information about my previous post. Thank you.
by Edward W Hook, MD, Nov 06, 2009 10:57PM
, Nov 06, 2009 10:57PM
So it has been there for 10 days. I prefer not to repeat myself- life is too short. As I said before, this is inconsistent with herpes and warrants a visit to your health care provider for assessment and possibly antibiotic therapy. EWH
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