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Small Crack on Scrotum
Doctor, I have asked a question on this form before on how herpes is spread since I had difficulties with cold sores when I was younger. This following question I asked to the general community and did realize it did not go to the experts like yourselves.
This question was a while back but I was thinking you would have greater insight, since I had some impression you can spread herpes by scratching a cold sore and touching your genitals, hence my question as follows.... while in the shower I had a stinging on my scrotum, I did not notice it until I was in the shower. It was a very small single crack in the skin, it did not bleed,but when I directed the stream of water on it did sting. The area was not red, I could feel it as I walked around. It healed in two days and was just some dry pink skin on healing. My dermatologist (he saw it the next day since he was going to take wart off my hand) he said that skin on the scrotum is thin and can crack like chaped lips. I have read that even a single crack on your genitals can be considered a herpes sore. It has not come back, but never had this before.....perhaps just concerned due to area?
I thought of this again since I had a small cold sore in the corner of my mouth and became curious again due to this uncertainty and all the things you read about herpes. I certainly scrached myself when I was younger, and unaware of even what a cold sore was....that was many years ago. Thank you for your help and expert opinion.
This question was a while back but I was thinking you would have greater insight, since I had some impression you can spread herpes by scratching a cold sore and touching your genitals, hence my question as follows.... while in the shower I had a stinging on my scrotum, I did not notice it until I was in the shower. It was a very small single crack in the skin, it did not bleed,but when I directed the stream of water on it did sting. The area was not red, I could feel it as I walked around. It healed in two days and was just some dry pink skin on healing. My dermatologist (he saw it the next day since he was going to take wart off my hand) he said that skin on the scrotum is thin and can crack like chaped lips. I have read that even a single crack on your genitals can be considered a herpes sore. It has not come back, but never had this before.....perhaps just concerned due to area?
I thought of this again since I had a small cold sore in the corner of my mouth and became curious again due to this uncertainty and all the things you read about herpes. I certainly scrached myself when I was younger, and unaware of even what a cold sore was....that was many years ago. Thank you for your help and expert opinion.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the STD forum. I'm a little confused by your queston. I found your previous thread on this forum last year, but your username doesn't appear on any community forum that I could find.
First, about transfering cold sores to the scrotum or elsewhere: Self infection from one part of the body to another is called auto-inoculation. It occurs sometimes with herpes, but almost entirely during the initial infection, rarely or never with recurrent herpes. Once someone has had HSV-1 or HSV-2 (anywhere on the body) more than about 3 months, it is very difficult, probably impossible, to autoinocuate it elsewhere. The body's immune system prevents it. (For the same reason, once a person has HSV-1 or HSV-2, s/he cannot catch it again. For example, sex partners do not "ping pong" their HSV infections back and forth.
Second, your scrotal "crack" doesn't sound at all like herpes. Herpes doesn't cause the sort of chafing and cracking that you refer to. You don't say what your dermatologist said about your thin and cracking scrotal skin, but I'm quite certain he wasn't worried about herpes. And when someone has genital HSV-1, usually there are few or no recurrent outbreaks. You can be very sure your HSV-1 is strictly limited to your mouth and/or face.
From your other thread and this one, you seem inordinately concerned about herpes. Take common sense precautions in your sex life to avoid HSV-2 and other STDs, but otherwise this isn't someting to go around worrying about.
HHH, MD
First, about transfering cold sores to the scrotum or elsewhere: Self infection from one part of the body to another is called auto-inoculation. It occurs sometimes with herpes, but almost entirely during the initial infection, rarely or never with recurrent herpes. Once someone has had HSV-1 or HSV-2 (anywhere on the body) more than about 3 months, it is very difficult, probably impossible, to autoinocuate it elsewhere. The body's immune system prevents it. (For the same reason, once a person has HSV-1 or HSV-2, s/he cannot catch it again. For example, sex partners do not "ping pong" their HSV infections back and forth.
Second, your scrotal "crack" doesn't sound at all like herpes. Herpes doesn't cause the sort of chafing and cracking that you refer to. You don't say what your dermatologist said about your thin and cracking scrotal skin, but I'm quite certain he wasn't worried about herpes. And when someone has genital HSV-1, usually there are few or no recurrent outbreaks. You can be very sure your HSV-1 is strictly limited to your mouth and/or face.
From your other thread and this one, you seem inordinately concerned about herpes. Take common sense precautions in your sex life to avoid HSV-2 and other STDs, but otherwise this isn't someting to go around worrying about.
HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
For any kind of rash or skin problem, a dermatologist's advice after direct exam is much more reliable than anything you can learn by asking questions on this or any other forum. People with oral herpes NEVER spread it around the body. Anyway, I hope you can move on with regard to herpes. I agree you need to stop looking for information about herpes online or elsewhere -- and disregard the Valtrex commercials.
Thanks for the thanks about the forum.
Thanks for the thanks about the forum.
Oh, Doc, I think I got stuck on this herpes thing due to my cold sores and thought I was spreading it around my body. My dermatologist said the little crack can occur on the scrotum since it is thin skin, and if mosture is present like from sweat it could make a small crack....it was not red and did not itch; and after a couple days it was resolved...that is when my Dermatologist saw the small area, and perhaps a world record for herpes to go away, or so he he thought. He advised use some powder. Appreciate your opinion, and I will not watch any more Valtrex commercials.... Let me know if you have any further comments, and thank you again for providing such a valuble service.
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.
