Small Red Bumps, Rashlike

[joll77]

About 3 days ago I had protected sex for about 3 hours.  This morning, in the shower, I noticed that around the base of my penis, on the side facing me and right at the line of my pubic hair there were many small red bumps.  They don't look very big, somewhat like hair follicles, but there doesn't appear to be hair growing out of them.  About 2/3 of the small red bumps are actually under my pubic hair, above the penis.  If I were to guess I would say there are over 20.  They do not itch currently, but it does look like a rash/skin irritation.

This area of my genitals was not protected by the condom, and I'm wondering if I might have gotten something passed to me from my partner's vaginal fluids.  Obviously if this doesn't clear up in a few days I am going to get it checked out/tested, but I would like some feedback if anyone has any useful things to say.  I am mostly worried that this might be herpes.

Thanks

[kaylerson]

Well it could be irritation from your partner's pubic hair especially if they shave.  It was protected sex so the possibility for STD's like chlamydia and gonorrhea is not there.  However like you mentioned Herpes is not spread through fluids, it is a skin-to-skin exposure so the possibility is there.  But you will not get an accurate herpes test result until about 4 months post-exposure.  

I wouldn't panic, it could be a number of things.  A thing to look for is whether the bumps get bigger or grow more.  Herpes follicles are usually in clusters and will eventually break open and blister, then dry and crust over.  Keep an eye out for this process.  First outbreaks for herpes typically are accompianed by mild-severe pain like fever, swollen lymph nodes, and sometimes painful urination.  But these symptoms vary from person to person.

Wait it out a little bit because 4 days isn't even enough time to get an accurate test for any STD.  Consult the herpes forum if you have anymore questions or concerns.
Hope that helps a little.

[joll77]

Thank you very much,
I will take your advice and relax a little bit; wait it out and see what / if anything more develops... My partner hadn't shaved in a little while so her hair was rather short - would friction irritation last this long typically?  I occasionally have eczema and had psoriasis as a child so my skin is very sensitive.

[kaylerson]

if you have sensitive skin it can last a couple days.  Mind you thats just a estimation everyone person is different.  Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't get any worse, and course to see if they're clearing up.  Your doctor could look at them and take a viral culture, of the fluid inside (if there is in fact fluid of course) and a dermatologist can determine whether it is psoriasis or eczema by the naked eye.