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Swollen Inguinal Lymph Nodes, and Rashes
Hello,
This is quite a personal story, and goes into some details that im kind of uncomfortable with. I trust that the users in this forum will respect my situation, as I have not talked to anybody about this besides my partner (Im new). I am a 22 year old male, and about two weeks ago, I had unprotected vaginal sex with my partner who claims to be STD free. Approximately two nights after, I was pleasuring myself to the point that my penis became somewhat raw, so I applied a kind of lotion (Jergens scented lotion, specifically), and finished. The next day, my penis continued to feel raw, and upon further examination that evening, I noticed that it was quite red, with small bumps spread up and down the shaft of my penis within the redness. It only lasted about a week, as I had continued to showered regularly. It never really bothered me, besides some minor itching. I admit, while it was still visible, I was understandably freaked out, and might have scrubbed a bit too much around the area. A few days ago, I noticed I now have the same kind of rash under and around my scrotum, which itches quite a bit, much more than the previous rash. There isnt any lesions (like herpes), just redness and small bumps with itching, although my inguinal lymph nodes have become swollen, but not painful. I have done extensive research on the internet since the first rash showed up, and I cant seem to diagnose the situation without the help of a professional. Regardless of what I think it may or may not be, I plan on seeing a doctor about it, I just dont have any medical insurance. What does this seem like it would be? An STD, or maybe a case of contact dermatitis of some sort? As I said, it just itches quite a bit, and thats the extent of it. No pain. No open sores of any kind. I continue to shower regularly, but have started to scrub less intensely. I have also been applying a "triple antibiotic ointment" nightly, which seems to be taking a positive effect. Regardless, I am obviously concerned about this. Please help. Thank you.
This is quite a personal story, and goes into some details that im kind of uncomfortable with. I trust that the users in this forum will respect my situation, as I have not talked to anybody about this besides my partner (Im new). I am a 22 year old male, and about two weeks ago, I had unprotected vaginal sex with my partner who claims to be STD free. Approximately two nights after, I was pleasuring myself to the point that my penis became somewhat raw, so I applied a kind of lotion (Jergens scented lotion, specifically), and finished. The next day, my penis continued to feel raw, and upon further examination that evening, I noticed that it was quite red, with small bumps spread up and down the shaft of my penis within the redness. It only lasted about a week, as I had continued to showered regularly. It never really bothered me, besides some minor itching. I admit, while it was still visible, I was understandably freaked out, and might have scrubbed a bit too much around the area. A few days ago, I noticed I now have the same kind of rash under and around my scrotum, which itches quite a bit, much more than the previous rash. There isnt any lesions (like herpes), just redness and small bumps with itching, although my inguinal lymph nodes have become swollen, but not painful. I have done extensive research on the internet since the first rash showed up, and I cant seem to diagnose the situation without the help of a professional. Regardless of what I think it may or may not be, I plan on seeing a doctor about it, I just dont have any medical insurance. What does this seem like it would be? An STD, or maybe a case of contact dermatitis of some sort? As I said, it just itches quite a bit, and thats the extent of it. No pain. No open sores of any kind. I continue to shower regularly, but have started to scrub less intensely. I have also been applying a "triple antibiotic ointment" nightly, which seems to be taking a positive effect. Regardless, I am obviously concerned about this. Please help. Thank you.
Ok, so I used the container of epsom salt, and have been using the anti-fungal powder twice a day for about a week now, and it is really helping it clear up!! It doesnt itch at all anymore, and isnt a bother in general. Although you can still visibly see where the rash used to be, it is healing and guess it will eventually return to normal. Thank you jr1982, and gracefromHHP for the advice.
I have never used the vineger, but if grace said it was good I mean might as well give it a shot. Hopefully everything is getting ready to dry up and go away. Maybe try some unisom or something to get you some sleep.
OK, so I dont know if this means it is healing or what, but I have not been able to sleep ever since I soaked in the epsom salt, because it has made the itching ten times worse!! The only good thing I can see, is that the rash is completely drying out. Should I just bear through it?? I have been very good at not itching it so far, but losing this much sleep is stressing me out. I dont think im going to sleep at all tonight. Grace said to put two cups of white vinegar in with the epsom salt for "comfort". That might have been what she meant...
Im surpised to hear the epsolm salt bothered you. With skin conditions you never know, just try to stay dry and change your underwear a couple of times a day, and try not to scratch it.
So I went ahead and bought the epsom salts and soaked in it for 20-25 minutes. Let me tell you, that was one of the most unbearable experiences ive ever been through!! It made the rash itch so very much, it was hard to sit there for such an ammount of time, but I figure that means its doing its job. I also bought some anti-fungal powder, but I havent applied any yet. Is there any average ammount of time that this should take to notice any imrovement?
I really wouldnt waste any money on fungal creams at this point, I would wait till you see a doctor. Also, often if you do have something the doctors at the clinic will give you free or reduced medications; at least that is how it is at my local health clinic.
I plan on getting epsom salts tomorrow and I will do that. I was also planning on getting an over the counter anti-fungal cream such as Lamisil or something of the sort. Would that be a wise thing to do? As I had said previously, I dont have medical insurance at the moment, so getting a prescription is somewhat out of the question. Ive had Jock Itch before, and it seems very similar to that, but more serious in appearance and discomfort. I have been using an organic bar of soap recently, but it is scented, so ill get some scentless soap as well. I hope these things work. It has me worried, and ive been losing sleep, its been so uncomfortable. Again, thank you, and I plan on posting my status as soon as these things have had time to take effect.
Baby powder usually wouldnt hurt anything, but personally I would do the bath with epsom salts, not for a few hours (20min or so). Try not to use really hot water, only luke warm, sometimes hot water can make skin conditions worse. After your bath I would recommend not immediately putting on any clothes and letting everything air dry a bit, or use a hair dryer on low setting to dry your genital area, this may help you a bit. The last time I went to the dermatologist he told me to stop using shower gels, only bar soaps with little or no fragrance added, it may be worth a shot as well. Good luck and keep us posted.
Thank you Grace, for your insight. Im going to my local health department this thursday to get free testing on all but Herpes, I believe. If the rash is still there by then, I assume I could have a doctor take a look, and give me their professional opinion on what it could be. I appreciate the tips, and I think ill do just that, soak in the tub for a few hours tomorrow. I will also stop the application of any sort of ointments, to prevent further irritation. Would it be ok to keep a little baby powder around the area to keep it dry and relatively friction free for a while, or will that more than likely irritate it as well? Again, thank you very much for both of your opinions on the matter, I truly appreciate it, and I am relatively at ease for the moment.
~~Kcurtor
~~Kcurtor
I'm going for a lotion issue too. Body lotions aren't made for our sensitive genital skin especially when you apply them when it's already irritated like you did. You also might have a fungal infection going on too. At this point since it's a weekend, I'd try things like soaking in the tubby with some epsom salts thrown in or even 2 cups of white vinegar for comfort. I'd stop the antibiotic ointment too - that's not made for our genital area and can be very irritating and cause rashes. Also this isn't likely to be a bacterial infection so you are wasting your time applying it anyways.
Odds are that neither you nor your gf have ever been tested for herpes if you've ever had std testing before. Something to talk about, look into and consider getting so that in the future when you get genital symptoms, you know if you have to worry or not about std/s/herpes in general being a cause.
Many public health departments will only test for herpes with a lesion culture of active symptoms. Usually you can look up your state's health departments online and they show you where your local std clinic is thru them too. also planned parenthood sees both males and females and charges on a sliding scale.
grace
Odds are that neither you nor your gf have ever been tested for herpes if you've ever had std testing before. Something to talk about, look into and consider getting so that in the future when you get genital symptoms, you know if you have to worry or not about std/s/herpes in general being a cause.
Many public health departments will only test for herpes with a lesion culture of active symptoms. Usually you can look up your state's health departments online and they show you where your local std clinic is thru them too. also planned parenthood sees both males and females and charges on a sliding scale.
grace
Thank you. Youve made me a bit more comfortable about it, but yes im still going to get it checked out. Thank you for also informing me of free clinics. I didnt know that previously. Im going to make an appointment today. I agree, stressing myself out about this kind of thing is just too much. Id rather be safe and trouble free from now on. Thanks again.
Most likely what you describe is just from masturbating a little too hard, or possibly a reaction to the scented lotion. I would still recommend getting a routine std test. I know your partner said she was clean, probably was, but I have learned you cant count on that to be 100%.eA lot of people show no symptoms of stds.I dont have insurance either but went to my local health department and got a free std screening including chlamydia, gon, syhilis, and hiv. Heck they even gave me free vacines for hepatitis. Take advantage of these free programs, it will end up saving you a lot of heart ache. I was really nervous but made myself do it. Now until I get married I will never have unprotected sex again, its not worth it. The worst part of the test was the urethra swab, it did sting quite a bit, it is still bothering me a bit, but still worth it.
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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.
