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recurring "papercut" type tear on my penis shaft - herpes?
Hi Dr.
About a year ago I recieved a lapdance from a prostitue (she was only wearing a skimpy g-string, which didnt cover much). I was only wearing boxer shorts. However, when the lapdance was over I noticed that my penis had popped out from my boxer short hole (being exposed). Therefore, since there was a lot of movement and friction, her g-string could have moved in such a way that my penis came into contact with her genital area. There was NO penetration of any kind - just the lapdance that I described above. I know that the risk of contracting herpes from a "no penetration" incident is very low.
But about 3 months after the incident I noticed a tiny "papercut" like tear on my penis shaft. It literally looked like a thin papercut. It dryed up/scabbed within 14 hours. The scab fell off within 3 days. I went to go see a dermatoligist/STD expert (Dr. Bierman of UCLA) who examined the cut when it was in the scab form. He said that it was NOT herpes. He mentioned that herpes looks like blisters, which mine was not.
So then I thought nothing of it until about 4 months later, another similar tiny "papercut" tear appeared almost in the same place. This cut too, dried up within 14 hours. It dried up so fast that I probably couldnt get a culture of it fast enough. I am worried since it seems recurrent and I have read that "papercut" like tears on the penis can be an atypical form of herpes. You also mention the most common cause of recurring "cuts" in the genital region is herepes. But I cant believe that I would have gotten herpes from that one lapdance. And I assure you that was my only "sexual" experience in the past year (if you call that a sexual experience). Prior to that experience I have had only 1 sex partner and we both took a Western Blot test 3 years ago (through Washington Univeristy) and the tests came back negative for HSV 2 for both of us. Therefore that lapdance would have been the only possible exposure. Could this be genital herpes?
About a year ago I recieved a lapdance from a prostitue (she was only wearing a skimpy g-string, which didnt cover much). I was only wearing boxer shorts. However, when the lapdance was over I noticed that my penis had popped out from my boxer short hole (being exposed). Therefore, since there was a lot of movement and friction, her g-string could have moved in such a way that my penis came into contact with her genital area. There was NO penetration of any kind - just the lapdance that I described above. I know that the risk of contracting herpes from a "no penetration" incident is very low.
But about 3 months after the incident I noticed a tiny "papercut" like tear on my penis shaft. It literally looked like a thin papercut. It dryed up/scabbed within 14 hours. The scab fell off within 3 days. I went to go see a dermatoligist/STD expert (Dr. Bierman of UCLA) who examined the cut when it was in the scab form. He said that it was NOT herpes. He mentioned that herpes looks like blisters, which mine was not.
So then I thought nothing of it until about 4 months later, another similar tiny "papercut" tear appeared almost in the same place. This cut too, dried up within 14 hours. It dried up so fast that I probably couldnt get a culture of it fast enough. I am worried since it seems recurrent and I have read that "papercut" like tears on the penis can be an atypical form of herpes. You also mention the most common cause of recurring "cuts" in the genital region is herepes. But I cant believe that I would have gotten herpes from that one lapdance. And I assure you that was my only "sexual" experience in the past year (if you call that a sexual experience). Prior to that experience I have had only 1 sex partner and we both took a Western Blot test 3 years ago (through Washington Univeristy) and the tests came back negative for HSV 2 for both of us. Therefore that lapdance would have been the only possible exposure. Could this be genital herpes?
You can not post a question on someone else thread. There is a fee associated with asking the Dr's questions.
Also, I noticed Dr. Hook mentions in his initial comment that both occurences sounded like recurrent outbreaks in which case the lapdance most likely wouldn't have caused this tear if indeed it is herpes..
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We're all on the same page about your risk -it seems improbable. Your lapdance and absence of other partners is your low risk history.
Recurrences can heal that rapidly. AS for could you have gotten HSV without an initial episode -yes, it happens.
At this point however, more "what if" questions will not help either of us. Get the test and we can move forward from a postion of knowledge. No furhter quesitons please till you have your test results. EWH
Recurrences can heal that rapidly. AS for could you have gotten HSV without an initial episode -yes, it happens.
At this point however, more "what if" questions will not help either of us. Get the test and we can move forward from a postion of knowledge. No furhter quesitons please till you have your test results. EWH
thank you for your advice. I will get the test done...
I just cannot believe that I could have recieved herpes from that lapdance. Even Dr. Handsfield had mentioned that he has never seen a case in his years of practicing of someone getting herpes from a non-penetraion experience. When you said "provided this question without the low risk history," are you reffering to the lapdance incident.
Also does it seem quite odd that the cuts dried up/scab very quickly (within 12-14 hours)?
Also would it have been possible for me to have recurrent outbreaks and never experience an initial outbreak? You described these as recurrent, I didnt have anything that indicated an intial outbreak then. I never saw anything until 3 months after the incident.
thnks
I just cannot believe that I could have recieved herpes from that lapdance. Even Dr. Handsfield had mentioned that he has never seen a case in his years of practicing of someone getting herpes from a non-penetraion experience. When you said "provided this question without the low risk history," are you reffering to the lapdance incident.
Also does it seem quite odd that the cuts dried up/scab very quickly (within 12-14 hours)?
Also would it have been possible for me to have recurrent outbreaks and never experience an initial outbreak? You described these as recurrent, I didnt have anything that indicated an intial outbreak then. I never saw anything until 3 months after the incident.
thnks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your story elicits two conflicting opinions from me. The history or recurring penile lesions in the same place is quite suggestive of HSV (your question indicates that you agree). (BTW, both of the episodes you describe suggest recurrent HSV, not an initial outbreak).
However the negative Western blot and absence of other exposures makes this most unlikely to be herpes. Had you provided this question without the low risk history, I would have reassured you that you do not have HSV and told you than you do not need testing. In this case however, you need a "tie-breaker". I would suggest that you get a good type-specific test for HSV-1 and -2 like the HerpeSelect. If it is positive, you have HSV and then we need to figure out what to do about it. If it is negative, there must be some other explanation for the lesions.
Get the test and let me know what it shows. We can move forward from there. EWH
However the negative Western blot and absence of other exposures makes this most unlikely to be herpes. Had you provided this question without the low risk history, I would have reassured you that you do not have HSV and told you than you do not need testing. In this case however, you need a "tie-breaker". I would suggest that you get a good type-specific test for HSV-1 and -2 like the HerpeSelect. If it is positive, you have HSV and then we need to figure out what to do about it. If it is negative, there must be some other explanation for the lesions.
Get the test and let me know what it shows. We can move forward from there. EWH
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
