herpes or yeast infection

I just noticed today that I have an itchy redened area on the underside foreskin of my penis.  I work outside in the heat and pretty much stay soaking wet all day.  I have never had this type of thing before.  I do have herpes complex 1 and get fever blisters.  My wife had a yeast infection several weeks ago and I was thinking that maybe that was what it was.  The area doesn't hurt but itches a little.  If you look real close you can see little individual little  
clear bumps that have fluid in them.  My wife and I have been married for a year and i guess it was about a year and a half since i had sex with anyone else.  Is this something to worry about or am I just overreacting.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This sounds like some kind of non-STD dermatitis.  You could indeed be sharing your wife's yeast infection; or perhaps tinea (jock itch).  Either of those should clear up with one of the OTC antifungal creams designed for jock itch or athlete's foot.  If not, see a healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist.  Do not use any steroid creams like hydrocortisone.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[Confused48]

Dr:
I promise I wont do this again, but I took your advice and asked my doctor what test he ran.  He said he ran a urinalysis with microscope.  As there was no abnormal white cells, nothing in the culture, and no symptoms, he said you do not have an STD.  Does this make sense as my exposure was only oral.  Sorry, I have an anniversary coming up and I want to enjoy.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Urinalysis and urine culture aren't perfect STD tests, but in your situation the negative results confirm you don't have an STD.  If your exposure was oral (i.e., fellatio on you) the chance you got infected was very low anyway.  Add lack of symptoms plus absence of white cells in your urine, and you can be certain you have nothing that you can transmit to your partner.

HHH, MD

[Confused48]

Doctor:

Thank you so much -- you provide a great service.  Also, the crew you trained at your last clinic is excellent as well.  Can I make a donation to your choice of charity?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sure, you can make a dontation to Med Help.  In fact, that will be a requirement starting in a few days:  Posting a new question on the STD Forum will cost $10.00 beginning August 3.  You can make a retroactive contribution!

Thanks for the thanks--  HHH, MD