Please Help

[jeremyst]

Protected vag. ex with a prostitute 12/5/08. Have a rash in my groin (looked like inflamed follicles) that is  itchy and very irritated on and off over 3 months. My general practitioner has tested for herpes @  4 weeks, 8 weeks and 11 weeks (IGG herpes select) and each was neg. for HSV 1 and 2. The rash persists. It’s in the groin area – in the creases of skin there – in a warm moist area. Seen two different dermatologists, neither could identify what I had  but indicated that it didn’t look like STD visually. Test neg. for gon. And chlym. Too – syphilis neg. at 8 weeks. The head of my penis  has been  read and stinging for the pas month – a line from the urethral opening going down, and sometimes worse. Test neg. for HIV at 11 weeks – rapid test. Stinging itchy spots on my thigh (been there for 2 months or so) and on my hip – in a crease of skin that fluctuate in color and itchiness/sting. Now have what looks like eczema all over thighs and calves – dermatologist said unrelated. I am losing my mind. Persistent rash – stings sometimes more than others. Doctor is going to biopsy the head of my penis???? Is this an STD? I made a mistake and I’m terrified – and feel like I can’t rely on my doctors. After 3 months no straight answers and confusing ineffective treatment for rashes – cortisone, oral nizoral, castellani paint – none have had any effect! Should I get tested for herpes. Is this an low immune response indicative of HIV?  Please help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I don't care about the timing.  It's a coincidence.  No STD causes such a problem.  You have nothing you can transmit to your wife.  I haven't a clue about diabetes, but you don't describe anything that sounds like you are immunosuppressed.

Your dermatologist or other doctors are the only ones who can sort this out for you.  This forum cannot.  Sorry.

[jeremyst]

Thank you -- my desperation is mostly related to the fact that ever since the encounter I have manifested multiple and recurring genital symptoms. It's a daily effort to reassure myself to believe that I a)will not infect my wife with an std and b)this isn't a mildly symptomatic version of a true std. Multiple failed treatments and diagnoses have contributed to this fear too. I'm thinking, do I have diabetes or another similar immunosuppresive problem?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I meant to say that the negative HIV tests prove you don't have it and that HIV cannot possibly have anything to do with this problem.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No STD causes a "rash in the groin", or a rash anywhere that comes and goes like this.  That includes herpes.  I probably would not have thought to worry about HIV either.  Further, I am sure this has nothing to do with your commercial sex adventure.

In any case, no online provider can provide better information than providers who have examined someone, especially when the problem is a rash and two dermatologists havne't been able to sort things out.  I suggest following your dermatologist's advice.  But whatever is going on is not an STD.  (If we had a patient like you in my STD clinic, we wouldn't even take care of the problem.  We would refer to a dermatologist.)

Sorry I can't help further.  But put herpes and other STDs out of your mind.

Best wishes--- HHH, MD