"Shiny" is typical for lichen planus, which might be even more likely if the color is slighly purple or lavender. Also look in your mouth: are there white/lavender stripes or a lacy pattern inside your cheeks?
Hi Dr. Handsfield,
Thanks for the quick response. I'll try to see a Dermatologist or primary doctor. I'm actually circumcised. The two red bumps definitely have a red tone to them and have somewhat of a shiny appearance where I can feel bump in the skin as I graze my finger over them. The last time I actually received unprotected oral from a stripper was back in January and protected vaginal from a stripper probably 3 or more months ago. If my friend goes to have a pap smear would she be able to tell me if she has HPV or warts?
Thanks again, and I'll post what my doctor says.
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help.
You don't provide enough description for me to predict a cause of your penile red bumps, except that I'm pretty it's no STD. Why? First, non-STD problems explain the large majority of penile rashes and bumps, except those with blisters or open sores (herpes) or warts (which are not generally red in color). If you are uncircumcised, then nonspecific or yeast balanitis (the term for inflammation of the head of the penis) may be possible. Lichen planus is a common penile rash, and sometimes psoriasis appears on the penis. And most of the hundreds of other causes of dermatitis also can show up on the penis or elsewhere in the genital area.
To your specific questions:
1) I doubt it's any of these.
2) Oral sex may transmit HPV/warts, but probably rarely.
3,6) How do you know what's going on? By visiting a doctor or clinic in person. A dermatologist would be ideal, but most general physicians or STD clinics would also be able to make an accurate diagnosis very quickly.
4) How quick they clear up, if they do, really isnt' a good clue either for or against HPV/warts, or other causes either.
5) Azithromycin would cure most bacterial STDs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) but would have no effect on warts/HPV or herpes. However, azithromycin and other antibiotics can trigger yeast infections -- see above if you are uncircumcised.
7) The "vinegar test" is totally unreliable. It's not exactly quackery, but close to it, and we never do it in my clinic. Some HPV infections don't turn white, and not all white things are caused by HPV. Don't do it.
I'll be interested in the final diagnosis. Please return with a follow-up comment after you have been professionall evaluated. in the meantime, I'm pretty sure you have neither herpes, HPV, nor any other STD.
Regards-- HHH, MD