very depressed

I had unprotected sex with and ex gf one night and the next day broke out in a severe bumpy inflammed rash.I went to minor medical where I tested + for chlamydia and the doc said the bumps were just irritation from the sex not herpes.The rash went away and then came back about 2 weeks later.I went to my doctor which threw out herpes.About 3 weeks after that I had a circular rash with a bump in the middle.I went to an std clinic and the nurse said it was just irritation not herpes and to just relax and stop touching my penis.About 2 weeks later it appeared again.  Confused I went to a dermatologist.He said it was most likely herpes and he wanted to swab it.He gave me acyclovir cream which gave me the worst rash ever.He said the culture was negative and he gave me a cream to get rid of my newly acquired rash.It went away. 2-3 weeks later It happened again this time super inflammed with rashy bumps all over.The derm did a biopsy.The results came back and just said inflammation he told me herpes was no longer a factor.About a month later it happend again a rashy scabby inflammed itchy painful son of a gun.Went back to my derm and he swabbed it for herpes and swabbed it for bacterial.Both came back neg.Here I am about 2 weeks later with another rash.What is going on?? please help in any way you can

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Despite the initial impression of your dermatologist, I doubt you had herpes at all.  However, a way to know for sure is to have a blood test for HSV (but wait until at least 3 months after the first symptoms.

No other STD is possible as an explanation of these symptoms.  Sound most like some combination of chemical irritation and allergies.  In any case, I can only guess.  You should follow up with your dermatologist; or if uncertain that he is on top of things, ask for a second opinion.

Bottom line:  This dosn't sound like an STD problem of any kind, but if your dermatologist is pretty certain his initial herpes diagnosis was possibly right, talk to him about an HSV blood test.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[monkeyflower]

While you wait for Dr. Handsfield's response, what have your doctors said about this rash? Also, I just thought I'd ask if you noticed whether there was any possible trigger for this rash. Did you use a different soap, detergent, fabric softener, wear particular clothing? Do anything different? Feel anything different? Could it be a reaction to latex condoms? Lube? After sex with a particular partner?

As for the circular rash, depending on where you live, if you think a tick bite is possible (you might not notice a deer tick nymph--they're very tiny), then I'd mention it to your doctor just in case. I don't think the rash from lyme disease would come and go, but it doesn't hurt to say something anyway.

[rashyone]

I wasn't able to tell the whole story because I ran out of lines and had to pretty much sum it up.  I had sex with this girl in september of '06 and have a rash breakout every 2-4 weeks.  sometimes two spots at a time.  

Wouldn't a biopsy of the skin on the rash and two negative cultures 100% rule out herpes??? I know an actual lesion has to be present but wouldn't taking the skin be getting it??

What should I try as far as a cream or should I just leave it alone and hope it runs its course??I think if I have a blood test it will just confirm no herpes...so Should I go see a urologist?  If I didn't treat the epydidymidis at alll could that be causing this??  I didn't think herpes breaks out every two weeks and never goes away.

[rashyone]

by the way...I appreciate the help from you doc...and anyone else who comments on this.  everybody I talk to about this just kinda shrugs it off.  I'm going through hell right now.  If it was herpes...fine....but it's not.  I don't know what it is and hopefully somebody with a similar problem will speak up and tell me what they did to get rid of it.  I don't know what all reoccurent rashes happen on your penis that aren't herpes.  I'm just at a loss for words and money...this is an emotional killer...

[estrellab]

I went through all that too, the no, it is nothing. I say it is probably herpes. That stuff doesn't just happen. Get a blood test though to make sure.

[Englishman]

There are many other possibilities. Folliculitis could be a cause. Do you shave your genitals? Could be a fungal infection or some type of parasite. Could also be some type of dermatitis like eczema or psoriasis.

You could try:

1. Leaving the area alone completely (no shaving, touching, prodding, over-examination etc).
2. Use a mild detergent to wash all you clothes and bed sheets.
3. Fumigate your room incase of any fleas, parasites etc.
4. Wait a month then see if anything happens.


I'm no expert but i've outlined some possibilities (some of which may be very remote you you never know).

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Englishman's comments are good.  estrallab's comment is nonsense.  Herpes doesn't behave this way, and yes a biopsy would pick up herpes.  If you have herpes, as one dermatologist thought, it's not the only problem; you also have some other form of dermatitis.

In any case, the ultimate diagnosis lies in personal health care, not from speculation on this or any other website.  As I said above, continue with your dermatologist, or consider seeing a different one.  But there's no point in continued discussion here.

[rashyone]

sorry to add on doc..I'm going to get the blood test in like 25 minutes.  I asked my derm who did the biopsy what my biopsy showed and he said it showed...peri-vascular dermatitis...I have no clue what that means..but could that be a cause of all this??  How do you get rid of that??  Anywhoo...I'll let you know what the herpeselect test results are.

[Englishman]

http://patho.vetmed.ufl.edu/teach/vem5162/perivas.htm

It is a hyper-sensitivity dermatitis to something which I guess means that something is causing a reaction and inflammation in your skin. I think it is a generic term and thus has many causes - notice that flea bites are listed!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Those questions are way beyond my expertise which is limited to STDs, which you don't have.  Talk to the doctor taking care of you.  Or consider posting on the dermatology forum.

As I already said, there is no point in continuing.  This thread is over.

[rashyone]

thx man....I got the blood test today and I'm awaiting results..hopefully I can comment that it was negative in about a week...until then I totally don't want herpes..lol

[rashyone]

My blood test came back positive for hsv 2...he said that it came back a 5 on the herpeselect bloodtest...is that abnormally high?  Who can I talk to to ease my mind about all this..I totally wasn't expecting this!

[monkeyflower]

The value doesn't matter, it's just a number. You do have HSV2. However, I have to throw this out there: it doesn't necessarily mean that your symptoms are due to herpes.

As for who to talk to, I assume you mean support? I believe Grace hosts a herpes support board--I think it's called the herpes homepage. Hopefully she'll read this and respond, but if not, post on the STD support board and she can point you in the right direction. You might also check out www.westoverheights.com; they have a great herpes handbook that should answer just about any herpes-related question you can have.

[rashyone]

thank you very much...I truly appreciate it.  I don't know how to distinguish a herpes outbreak from a regular rash...I'll just try whatever I can.