White bump Pubic area region

[yeehawtex04]

I recently engaged in protected intercourse briefly with two women...on separate occasions last week.  Both women adamantly stated that they were completely clean after I questioned them regarding STDs, etc...

Now..after a week, I have no visible symptoms of anything that looks like an STD on my penis, however on one side of my pubic region, I noticed a hard white bump...it was more like inflammation (slightly raised bump) from under the skin..it just looked whiter than my regular skin tone.  Also near the top of the bump, there was a tiny circular blotch of dark colored skin..like a complete contrasting pigment.  I'm not sure if that was always present.  Anyways, I noticed this bump since I felt a little itching in that area.  It felt hard when I pressed the area.  I tried to squeeze it, and no fluid or pus came out.  I think i really picked at it a little too much and tried to scratch off that dark pigmented area that i initially thought was bloody skin, but i don't think it was..I think i peeled off a little too much skin from the bump and now its a little sore and red and it bled a tad bit.  But no discharge ever came out.  At this point the bump is only slightly raised.

Now, I'm not sure what to do.  I'm concerned about Genital Herpes or HPV.  I don't shave that area, so I'm not sure if it could be an infected hair follicle.  Please let me know your thoughts.  I really appreciate it!

Thanks,

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This will be your last answer. The chances that you got HIV from the experiences you describe are very, very low.  You used condoms and condoms work both for STDs and for HIV.  At the same time, you describe unprotected sex with multiple partners.  Thus you qualify for periodic HIV and STD "screening (testing in the absence of symptoms) because you have had multiple partners over a period of less than a year.  As a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has had two or more sex partners in the past year (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).

Take care.  EWH

[yeehawtex04]

Dr,

One quick question that crossed my mind.  I don't have to worry about HIV with the above exposures right?  I mean..I believe the sex was protected at all times, but i'm not sure if in my drunken state, I had a little bit of unprotected sex with one of the girls.  The women did say they were clean, but I'm concerned about the unprotected sex?

I'm sorry if I sound overly anxious about all of this.

Thanks,

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, no change.  Time for you to stop worrying and move on.  EWH

[yeehawtex04]

I didn't meant to say its been like this for 2 weeks.  Its only be 2 days since I've noticed it and picked at it.  That doesn't change anything does it?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This is not herpes. Many of the characterisitcs you describe, including the duration the lesion was present, it's location and that it was solitary all lead me to this conclusion.

It still sounds like a cyst or other benign process.  EWH

[yeehawtex04]

Thanks for your help.

One last question...this morning after a shower, i guess the tiny scab from the picked skin brushed off..i still noticed a bump..i tried picking at it again and clear fluid seemed to seep from the area of the scab/bump.  The bump still remains, but is sore.

Does this still sound like a cyst, even with the slight fluid seeping?  If this is indeed a cyst, it should remain like this for a while right and so if its past 2 weeks, it clearly can't be herpes?

Both girls did say that they were clean, but I've just been very anxious about it.  Since the pubic region was uncovered and probably engaged in some rubbing from the intercourse.  Also can herpes manifest itself as only a single bump? or are there always multiple blisters?

Thanks for all your help doctor.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No slight redness is not suggestive of herpes.

Despite the fact that partners' genital secretion may get on a partner's skin during sex, STDs are not tranmitted through this sort of exposure.  STDs, including herpes are transmitted through direct contact/exposure.  EWH

[yeehawtex04]

Thanks for the prompt reply.  What did you think about my last post with the slight redness/shininess near the top of my penis?  That isn't a sign of herpes is it?

Also, I understand condom-protected sex is safe, but what about the regions that aren't covered like the pubic hair/groin region.  Herpes can be transmitted that way can't it?  Also, in general, if one is exposed to herpes, lets say from somewhere in the groin area, is it possible that lesions would show up on the penis or areas where there wasn't direct exposure?

But from the above issues from my two posts that I've mentioned, I really don't need to worry about Herpes do I?

Thanks in advance, Dr Hook.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You have little to be concerned about.  Condom-protected sex is almost completely safe.  The "bump" you describe does not in any way suggest either genital herpes or HPV.  What it does suggest however is a cyst or folliculitis, either of which may have been present before and have either just been noted or evolved since the exposures you describe.

If it is a cyst it will probably not change and unless it troubles you, you can just let it be.  Many of us have small cysts on different parts of our bodies which are of no consequence.

Folliculitis occurs when the pores in your skin get plugged.  This allows that normal bacteria that are present on just about every-one's skin to grow and cause what is essentially a pimple.  Some of these just appear as red bumps which may or may not be  tender while others go on to actually form pimples containing pus, with or without a little bit of blood.  In some instances, if you look closely you can see a hair coming out of, or nearby the bump- this too is typical of folliculitis).

What to do?  I would urge you not to squeeze or press it further. This increases the chances of it becoming infected.  I would not worry about it. If it get’s bigger as some folliculitis lesions do, it may go on to burst and this will be the end of it.  If it does not and troubles you, go on and see a health care professional.  No matter what you do, please do not worry about this.  It is not an STD.  Hope this helps.  EWH

[yeehawtex04]

I just wanted to add that near the top of my penis on the right side of the tip, i see an area of redness, flat surface with slight shininess, its just a small area that is quite red...

I'm just concerned about whether this along with my above concern resembles herpes or any other STD.

Thanks Doctor,