weeping cut on my penis

[Gustman]

Ok I have this weeping cut/sore on my penis. However, and you might think this is a stupid question but, is there any chance this is herpes? I ask this because I actually did cut myself. This is the story

Yesterday, I noticed this dark mole/scab looking thing on my penis and I freaked out thinking it was a scab. So I tried to pick it and the spot wouldn't go. So I kept picking it vigorously and still it would not pick off. So I just assumed this was not a scab. Then this morning I freaked again and started picking at it again trying to determin what it was. Then suddenly I riped my penile skin around that spot. Here's the funny thing, That spot is STILL there. so I am ready to conclude that the spot is not a scab (whatever is was). But the fact that I ripped the skin worries me slightly. Does the dact I was able to ripe it mean that the skin was weakened because of herpes? Or am I just being paranoid. and What can that black scab looking thing be? I have had a similar black spot on another part of my penis and that one lasted for about 3 months before it went away. Can these be warts?

Also, on another note. How common are herpes lesions on the anus for a strictly heterosexual man. I get these cuts on my perianal skin and I have had it cultured (negative). But can that be herpes? or more likely to be just a cut.

Thank you doc
I hope you don't think this is a stupid question.

[Gustman]

Oh Ok, my thinking was that if I was going to ask further questions its only fair I should pay for them. I appologize. Anyways, Is it your belief that Herpes does not cause very slight reccuring peeling/ashy/shiny spots? These spots are not easily visible only after close inspection.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your post was deleted becasue it should hav been a continuation of this thread.  Even though you were describing slightly different concerns ("bumps" that come and go and not wanteing to believe the negative HSV blood test results you have, they represent the same sort of concerns, focused on what sound like normal skin findings.  You do not have a reason to worry.  I have pasted in Dr. HAndsfield's reply to you below.

This is a duplicate of your thread 4 days ago.  Feel free to ask for clarification in a follow-up comment for Dr. Hook.  Only a limited number of new questions can e accommodated and duplicate or superfluous ones block other users with new questions and therefore are not permitted.  This thread will be deleted.

HHH, MD

EWH

[Gustman]

Why was my post delete? Was it a website issue? Please let me know. I had posted a new Question.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If you are talking about specific herpes blood tests such as the HerpeSelect, they are, by and large, very good but they are not perfect.  We do endorse there use for persons who have a risk for herpes.

On the other hand, the non-specific tests and IgM tests are very unreliable. EWH

[Gustman]

on a side note...I have read a few remarks by you and doc HHH recommending Blood tests for people who show certain herpes symptoms. I am confused about this because I thought the blood tests are very unreliable. A health care worker told me that blood tests for herpes are only reliable when there is an obvious positive and all other resutls (negatives, low positives etc...) are not reliable at all. What do you think?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I must give you are hard time about repeatedly picking at this spot on your penis.  By doing so you have torn your own skin, making yourself vulnerable to infection on other problems.  What you describe was most likely a normal, hyper pigmented lesion like a more which happened to be present on the penis.  This is not at all unusual.  My advice at this time would be to see a dermatologist so that he/she can put a name on it for you and provide you with reassurance that it is not an STD.

That your skin ripped does not mean that it was "weakened" by herpes, it just means that you should have stopped picking.

What you describe in no way sounds like herpes.  that is the least of your concerns.

At heterosexual man who does not have anal sex would not be expected to have anal herpes.   Herpes is transmitted by direct exposure.  

There is nothing you have said to suggest that you have herpes and the fact that your blood test is negative, makes it unlikely.  EWH

[Gustman]

Let me add that I had a negative HSV2 blood test about 7-8 months ago. But since you guys have pointed out Herpes Blood tests are unreliable (not something to trust too much unless obviously positive) I would like to get your opinion.