Itchy red bump in groin area

[herpahepa]

I am a sexually active 24 yr old male who always practices safe sex.  Recently I experienced an intensly itchy red bump in my groin area near the skin fold between my thigh and pubic area.  The bump itself was in the pubic area.  After I started itching I examined the bump which was about the size of a dull pencil tip. Being the curious george that I am I squeezed it till it popped and a bloody puss like fluid came out.  Before I popped it, the bump never resembled a blister.  It now looks like a pimple that has been scraped off, but it does bare a certain resemblence to an open herpes sore which is the cause of my concern.  After popping this thing it no longer itches.  I should also mention that it has never caused me pain.  I keep that area trimmed up and sometimes get ingrown hairs or folliclitis, but I've never experienced a bump that itched so much although I do itch down there from time to time.  The "sore" also reacted to hydrocortisone cream and now apears less inflamed and more like a pink spot.  I know that herpes is usually painful and occurs in clusters of blisters, but can also resemble a bug bite or a single red bump.  Does this sound like herpes to you?  Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sounds like a pimple/folliculitis.  Both the location and your description of the lesion are highly atypical for herpes, which generally does not occur in hairy areas.  Also, herpes lesions tend to be quite superficial, not deeper like pimples or folliculitis (think of herpes as being "on" the skin surface and pimples or folliculitis "in" the skin).

But of course I cannot make a specific diagnosis.  See your health care provider if unsure.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[ryn21]

Judging by your description, it sounds like folliculitis.  I would show your derm or GP immediately so you can get a definite diagnosis.  It doesnt sound like herpes.