Razor Burn, STD, Infection, Something else?

[jlee13]

Help! I need some advice. My doctor is out until Jan 3rd so I have to wait until then for an appointment. In the mean time I don't want to ruin my holiday worrying.

In any case. I'm a female in my upper 30's. I have been diagnosed with HPV but never had any genital warts. After being sexually inactive for a while I recently started dating someone.

I shaved my genital area Saturday morning (I shaved some of the inside labia and anal areas as well). I usually go at least a week in between shaving however this time I had previously shaved 2 days prior and I admittedly probably didn't do a very careful job because I was in a hurry...but I think I have been careless before too and never experienced what I did this time. In any case Sunday morning my boyfriend and I didn't have sex but we did just about everything else. I tend to get a bit sore after any type of prolonged sexual activity so I thought nothing of it when I was sore later that evening.

It progressively got worse the next day and I noticed my anal area hurt and itched pretty bad as well as well. When I got home from work and looked in the mirror I was horrified to see several inflamed red bumps in my anal area (on each side of the butt cheeks just outside the anus) and some near my vaginal opening. Then by the next morning I had even more on my inner and outer labia. I freaked out a bit but was pretty sure this was razor burn however it seemed to be get worse over the course of two days. It burns to pee now because I have some bumps where the urine comes out. They itch a bit too but mostly burn. I have applied neosporin and hydrocortisone, both of which help a bit.

They are all kind of spread out, not lumped close together. I have looked up pictures of herpes and genital warts and it really doesn't look like either of these. The razor I used had been used several times (my big mistake) and as I said I probably wasn't careful. However I have shaved many times before and this has never happened, however I'm thinking maybe the razor had bacteria and then the friction of being with my boyfriend irritated it. Is razor burn this painful? I can't walk standing completely upright because of the rubbing of my clothing and sitting feels like my privates are on fire. The one thing that is making me think it isn't razor burn is because some of the bumps are under the hair that I didn't shave, albeit close to where I did. Can razor burn spread like that? Also I only have one definite ingrown on my upper bikini area. Why wouldn't I get it all over there too? Perhaps because the other moist areas are more sensitive? Most posts I read about razor burn/ingrown hairs seem to only mention a couple bumps. I have probably 10-15+ ranging in size.

In any case has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Could a wart outbreak happen that quickly if I have never had anything like that before? What can I do to treat it until I can see my doc? I'm also freaking out because I'm not sure what to tell my boyfriend. We only just recently started dating and I will see him in a few days. I don't want to scare him off by thinking I have some horrible disease if it really is only razor burn. I'm so freaked out I'm almost tempted to break up with him so I don't have to deal with this embarrassment. HELP!!!

[lala97530]

I didnt treat it I just made sure to keep clean. It lasted around a week and sometimes two.

[M_Pounce]

I use Dial, but it's not always the best for the sensitive areas O_O

[ac542]

dont' worry too much about MRSA it does havppen but if you wash your hands good you should be OK.  It would tend to probably form a pustule.  But if you start getting fevers, etc or have any doubts go to the doctor

[jlee13]

Looks nothing like the MRSA one. Looks like the first one pretty much but most don't really have the white heads. What is the best way to keep it clean? Just water? I've used a mild soap for the back area but don't want to do that in front. Is neosporin and cortisone ok to use down there? Read good things about a product called Tend Skin which I was going to pick up today. Thanks everyone. I feel a bit more at ease now.

[M_Pounce]

Hi!

Does it kind of look like this?

http://www.momsteam.com/files/images/_razor_burn_or_fever_blisters_little_pimples_2.jpg

Or this?

http://www.momsteam.com/files/images/MRSA_early_stage_red_bumps_0.jpg

It sounds like razor burn or irritation that has gotten infected. Many times they will heal on their own, sometimes leaving dark spots or scars.  Keep it clean, and if it continues to worsen see a doctor.  Your OB or Primary Care doctor can probably provide antibiotics to help.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[ac542]

I did a research paper on STDs and being a single a person always has to be careful.  From what you are describing it sounds like it would highly unlikely be related to genital warts as most HPV strains do not cause warts.  Friction and shaving are probably the culprits.  Herpes usually takes around a week or a little more after exposure to have symptoms if you have any.  I wouldn't worry too much.  If your worried about the BF then think of a girl excuse.  There are many of them out there.  Good luck

[jlee13]

Thanks lala. How long did it take to heal and how did u treat it? My clitoris is so sore today due to a bump right next to it that walking or any sort of movement there is horribly uncomfortable. Not sure how I'm going to explain to my family why I'm walking funny on xmas! Lol

[lala97530]

I have the exact same thing. I dont have been tested for genital warts and herpes and everything and I don't have anything so don't worry to bad. It is caused by tearing and irritation.