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Ingrown hairs or herpes?
Hi Doctor. Three weeks ago I had a foolish encounter with a SW. First I received a handjob, then protected (condom) oral sex for literally no more than a minute. The condom appeared intact afterwards. Now, I only had my fly down, my pants weren't even off, and the SW did not go "deep" or stray from the condom, so I can't imagine there was skin-to-skin contact. I know that you all consistently say handjobs and protected oral are zero risk. But in the past week and a half I have had 4-5 what look to be ingrown hairs, confined to the size area of a quarter, at the top of my pubic region, on the right side. I've occasionally had ingrown hairs (and I do also suffer from folliculitis from time to time) but never so many in such a small area. They are mostly painless, red and pimple-like, with small amounts of pus and blood when squeezed. They aren't blisters. I'm also pretty sure these are ingrown hairs because with 3 or 4 of them I have actually extracted an embedded hair. Am I in any danger of any STD? Is it possible this is just a very un-funny coincidence? Based on what I've read on this site, I know my risk is low to zero, but it still very much worries me. I've read on other sites that herpes can be mistakenly self-diagnosed as other things, like folliculitis and/or ingrown hairs. Please help, if I am OK I would like to stop worrying. THANK YOU!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
OK, that's additional strong evidence against herpes. I agree with Dr. Hook's advice. But I still don't take responsibility for the diagnosis. Folliculitis makes sense, but I can't say. See a health care provider if you want a definitive diagnosis.
Sorry to write again - I've seen how annoying that gets in other posts....
Thank you for replying so fast!
I'm actually 100% sure I have no prior herpes infection. About a year ago, I had a scare, and ended up having 3 full panel STD tests at various times, the last being six months after the potential exposure. All came back negative. Since this is my first sketchy situation since then, if I did have herpes it would have to be from this encounter.
The grouping of my blemishes did come in phases, it was not all at once. I read in another post, Dr. Hook advised against picking at ingrown hairs/folliculitis because he said an infection could spread that way. Maybe that is the case here. (?)
Either way, thank you again!
Thank you for replying so fast!
I'm actually 100% sure I have no prior herpes infection. About a year ago, I had a scare, and ended up having 3 full panel STD tests at various times, the last being six months after the potential exposure. All came back negative. Since this is my first sketchy situation since then, if I did have herpes it would have to be from this encounter.
The grouping of my blemishes did come in phases, it was not all at once. I read in another post, Dr. Hook advised against picking at ingrown hairs/folliculitis because he said an infection could spread that way. Maybe that is the case here. (?)
Either way, thank you again!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help.
Sometimes there is enough information in just the title someone uses for his or her question that I can reply accurately without reading the question itself. I'm going to give it a shot here.
Initial genital herpes usually involves the sites of maximum friction during sex, therefore the penis in men and at the vaginal opening or labia minora in women. There aren't prominent hairs on the penis, labia minora, and vaginal opening. Do you see where I'm going? A possible ingrown hair can only be in a hairy area -- where herpes is uncommon. So I'm pretty sure that despite what I see when I read your actual question, the answer is that an a hair-associated problem like folliculitis (hair follicle infection) is a lot more likely than herpes.
Now I have read the rest. Guess what? Not only is the location against herpes, but so is the sexual exposure you describe. It is true that handjobs rarely transmit STDs. Oral sex can transmit HSV-1, but then the problem should be on the penis. Finally, you give a great description of a skin condition that really cannot be herpes, given its association with hairs. So folliculitis indeed is the best bet.
That said, the appearance of multiple lesions within a cluster the size of a quarter is quite like herpes -- but not an early infection. If it's herpes, you are having a recurrent outbreak of an infection you have had for a long time, most likely due to HSV-2 -- i.e., well before the sexual exposure 3 weeks ago. On the other hand, if you are correct about association with hairs, herpes remains unlikely.
Another possibility might be molluscum contagiosum, a minor viral infection but one that can be sexually transmitted, or transmitted by saliva. MC lesions generally are shiny pink, often with a small dimple. The pubic area and lower abdomen are common sites; when squeezed, a hard white core can be pressed out, followed by brisk bleeding. However, like herpes, MC is not hair-associated.
All things considered, I doubt herpes, and almost certainly it isn't herpes from the exposure 3 weeks ago. I suggest you see a health care provider for diagnosis and professional advice about treatment.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Sometimes there is enough information in just the title someone uses for his or her question that I can reply accurately without reading the question itself. I'm going to give it a shot here.
Initial genital herpes usually involves the sites of maximum friction during sex, therefore the penis in men and at the vaginal opening or labia minora in women. There aren't prominent hairs on the penis, labia minora, and vaginal opening. Do you see where I'm going? A possible ingrown hair can only be in a hairy area -- where herpes is uncommon. So I'm pretty sure that despite what I see when I read your actual question, the answer is that an a hair-associated problem like folliculitis (hair follicle infection) is a lot more likely than herpes.
Now I have read the rest. Guess what? Not only is the location against herpes, but so is the sexual exposure you describe. It is true that handjobs rarely transmit STDs. Oral sex can transmit HSV-1, but then the problem should be on the penis. Finally, you give a great description of a skin condition that really cannot be herpes, given its association with hairs. So folliculitis indeed is the best bet.
That said, the appearance of multiple lesions within a cluster the size of a quarter is quite like herpes -- but not an early infection. If it's herpes, you are having a recurrent outbreak of an infection you have had for a long time, most likely due to HSV-2 -- i.e., well before the sexual exposure 3 weeks ago. On the other hand, if you are correct about association with hairs, herpes remains unlikely.
Another possibility might be molluscum contagiosum, a minor viral infection but one that can be sexually transmitted, or transmitted by saliva. MC lesions generally are shiny pink, often with a small dimple. The pubic area and lower abdomen are common sites; when squeezed, a hard white core can be pressed out, followed by brisk bleeding. However, like herpes, MC is not hair-associated.
All things considered, I doubt herpes, and almost certainly it isn't herpes from the exposure 3 weeks ago. I suggest you see a health care provider for diagnosis and professional advice about treatment.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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.
