Small red bump on side of penis

[fred444]

Dr. thank you for the informative forum.

I had sex with a friend of mine approximately 21 days ago (for what its worth she states she has never had an STD) … yesterday I noticed a small red bump on the side of my penis about 3/4ths of the way down into the beginning of the hair. It doesn’t hurt, itch, or anything, and it looks somewhat like a little pimple without a head.  It doesn’t look like a blister and it isn’t irritating to touch.  Also it doesn’t appear to be connected to a hair although there are a number of hairs around it (its slightly below where the hairs start to appear on the penis)…

Of course I would like to go to a doctor to have a full range of tests done but I am waiting because I was under the impression that for full accuracy I needed to wait 6 weeks. So I suppose this is for peace of mind in the interim, does this sound like Herpes or some other STD?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It is impossible for me to draw any conclusions or even probabilities from your description.  Most initial herpes outbreaks have multiple lesions, so on that ground it sounds more like a pimple.  Another possible clue:  herpes lesions tend to be very superficial--think of them as being 'on' the skin--where as pimples are deeper and can be thought of as 'in' the skin.  If you can feel the lesion as a solid lump, it probably isn't herpes.

But I am not drawing a firm conclusion and you can't either.  If the lesion is less than 2-3 days old, see a provider now; an experienced provider often can tell pretty reliable on exam, and a culture test can be done if s/he suspects herpes.  But both exam and culture only are useful with a fresh lesion.  As you say, once it is starting to clear up, you should wait 12 weeks (6 weeks isn't long enough), unless a new lesion appears in the meantime.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[fred444]

Dr. I apologize for the addendum but in an effort to be clear when I said it’s 3/4ths down the penis, I meant to convey that it’s still on the shaft ... I have some hair growing from the bottom to about 1/4 up the shaft ...  

[fred444]

Thankyou ... I have noticed it was more red last night and much less so right now (very small right now - maybe it'll go away in a day or so) ... also I am not sure of a definition - does lesion indicate an open sore or something, This is not a sore or by any means 'open' ...  looks like a red slightly swollen hair follicle only there is no hair coming out of it ... I can feel a very small bump


What kind of Dr. should I schedual and appontment with?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"Lesion" means any abnormal appearance.  Most herpes lesions evolve within 1-2 days from red bump to blister or open sore.  Any general health care provider will do; or visit your local health department STD clinic.

[apollo13]

Could we get some pictures here?  The web has the same crappy pictures from the 1980s.  I'm not sure what the difference is between "bump" and "pimple" and "pimple-like."  It would be cool if people could upload a picture that speaks a thousand words.

[Miss138Linds]

Herpes is just an over all virus, there aren't certain types are there? Like genital, oral, etc... Because my Mom has Herpes, she has always gotten those little mouth sores and what not, and recently I have seen what you all are talking about down there.

[fred444]

thanks again, I went that afternoon to the planned parent hood clinic and the DR. said it was nothing and appered to be where a hair follicle had been pulled out ... the bump went away about a day after that ... thanks again

[red3552]

A related discussion, small red bump on the top of the penis head was started.