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Reaction or Herpes
I have only been with 1 girl in the past 7 months, only had sex with her 5 times all unprotected. She denies herpes hx or sx. 6 days from last encounter I masturbated with liquid soap. Next day burning rash, size of a dime on top of shaft, resolved in a day. Same day first rash is resolving second rash develops on bottom shaft just under head. Burns, itches, mild edema, TTP, Stretching penis elicits tearing ripping pain.
Within a day mild scaling appears, deep horizontal fissure extending to dermis appears distal to the rash at the outer edge of it. 4 days from appearance of the second rash it appears to be resolving. Apply lotrimin to site because of past fungal infections (never applied an anti fungal before) 24 hours application 4 white clustered water blisters appear on rash site where lotirmin was applied. No pain, itching, burning nothing. Tried to pop them by squeezing, was impossible. Stabbing them only popped one and it drained clear fluid. Big fissure appeared irritated where it had been resolving. Take a shower, scrub blister site, scabs within an hour within a hour. Fissure resolves the following day. Blister site resolved in 3 days, had a clear to golden crust. Never itched, weeped, hurt, burned, nothing. Entire rash site had a glazed appearance before blisters, and then looked like smooth glass coated the surface of the skin in last days of blisters healing.
Consult a dermatologist a week later, he believes it was all from an irritant and contact dermatitis due to friction, soap and lotrimin. (common side effect of lotrimin is blistering) Herpeselect results 38 days post exposure is HSV 1 - 0.31 HSV 2 - 0.07
To me it seems unlikely that I would just happen to develop blisters in the same spot I applied the lotrimin just 24 hours prior and have it be my initial outbreak. Basically I'm playing the odds game
Within a day mild scaling appears, deep horizontal fissure extending to dermis appears distal to the rash at the outer edge of it. 4 days from appearance of the second rash it appears to be resolving. Apply lotrimin to site because of past fungal infections (never applied an anti fungal before) 24 hours application 4 white clustered water blisters appear on rash site where lotirmin was applied. No pain, itching, burning nothing. Tried to pop them by squeezing, was impossible. Stabbing them only popped one and it drained clear fluid. Big fissure appeared irritated where it had been resolving. Take a shower, scrub blister site, scabs within an hour within a hour. Fissure resolves the following day. Blister site resolved in 3 days, had a clear to golden crust. Never itched, weeped, hurt, burned, nothing. Entire rash site had a glazed appearance before blisters, and then looked like smooth glass coated the surface of the skin in last days of blisters healing.
Consult a dermatologist a week later, he believes it was all from an irritant and contact dermatitis due to friction, soap and lotrimin. (common side effect of lotrimin is blistering) Herpeselect results 38 days post exposure is HSV 1 - 0.31 HSV 2 - 0.07
To me it seems unlikely that I would just happen to develop blisters in the same spot I applied the lotrimin just 24 hours prior and have it be my initial outbreak. Basically I'm playing the odds game
Good to know, thanks Doc.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This doesn't change my opinion or advice, except about your planned test at 12 weeks. It would be better if you had a standard IgG test (e.g., HerpeSelect) and not a Western blot. WB actually is less sensitive than the IgG tests and slower to become positive.
Thanks for the reply Doc, just to clarify the dermatologist saw the area a week after it healed. He did say that the background redness and the indented linear scar left by the fissure is classic dermatitis. Getting the girl tested is not an option at this time.
When I saw the blisters the alarm bells went off, but looking at the soap exposure (which I have had soap burn before) I wasn't too worried until the appearance of the cluster of blisters. The lotrimin explanation seemed to fit just right and given the other information that I already stated I was pretty much in agreeance. I just wanted a second opinion from an STD expert to help reassure that small voice in the back of my head saying "what if". Naturally I will get a WB at 12 weeks for final closure on the subject (even if I am being a bit neurotic).
When I saw the blisters the alarm bells went off, but looking at the soap exposure (which I have had soap burn before) I wasn't too worried until the appearance of the cluster of blisters. The lotrimin explanation seemed to fit just right and given the other information that I already stated I was pretty much in agreeance. I just wanted a second opinion from an STD expert to help reassure that small voice in the back of my head saying "what if". Naturally I will get a WB at 12 weeks for final closure on the subject (even if I am being a bit neurotic).
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Your description of the genital rash is quite typical for an allergic reaction, contact dermatitis, or something like that, and quite atypical for herpes. That would have been my first thought, even if you hadn't said anything about your dermatologist's diagnosis. These are everyday, garden-variety, bread-and-butter conditions for the average dermatologist -- and direct exam by a knowledgeable provider almost always is more reliable than the opinion of a distant online expert. Your negative blood test also is against a new HSV infection. While it can take up to 3-4 months for positive blood tests to develop, usually a new infection produces detectable antibodies within 5 weeks.
All of this is far more reliable evidence than the mere coincidence of the timing of onset of your symptoms, your last sexual exposure, etc. I really see no need to keep worrying about herpes, and do not recommend any further testing for it. However, if you want still more reassurance, you could have another blood test at 3-4 months after the last exposure. Alternatively, contact your partner and ask her to be tested. If she had a blood test negative for HSV, you would know for sure you were not exposed and could not have been infected.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Your description of the genital rash is quite typical for an allergic reaction, contact dermatitis, or something like that, and quite atypical for herpes. That would have been my first thought, even if you hadn't said anything about your dermatologist's diagnosis. These are everyday, garden-variety, bread-and-butter conditions for the average dermatologist -- and direct exam by a knowledgeable provider almost always is more reliable than the opinion of a distant online expert. Your negative blood test also is against a new HSV infection. While it can take up to 3-4 months for positive blood tests to develop, usually a new infection produces detectable antibodies within 5 weeks.
All of this is far more reliable evidence than the mere coincidence of the timing of onset of your symptoms, your last sexual exposure, etc. I really see no need to keep worrying about herpes, and do not recommend any further testing for it. However, if you want still more reassurance, you could have another blood test at 3-4 months after the last exposure. Alternatively, contact your partner and ask her to be tested. If she had a blood test negative for HSV, you would know for sure you were not exposed and could not have been infected.
I hope this has helped. 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.
