Possible herpes?

[tiesto]

Hello.  I had a sexual encounter, protected sex with a condom, with a woman last thursday and two days later I had a red bump, which seemed to be an ingrown hair, underneath my scrotum where my thigh and buttock join -come to a crease (if that makes sense?)  I did recently shave that area, with a hair clipper,  about a week and a half ago, so my thoughts were an ingrown hair.  There is only one bump, no cluster, and it still remains a week later.  Could this possibly be a herpe?  I mean, there was no real way that there could have been contact of her genitals in the area of the bump.  Do herpes usually present themselves at the point of contact?  Do you think I have something to worry about?  Could it be an ingrown hair?  How long do ingrown hairs take to come about after shaving?  Any insight would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks

[calikid]

Dr. Rockoff,

Thank you for taking the time to conisder this query.

I am a 24 year old male and had protected sex, and unprotected oral sex, 14 days ago with a new partner.  Because the decision was an error in judgment I am concerned that I may have contracted herpes.  My concern is based on a red bump, that I discovered today, day 14, at the base of the shaft of my penis.  Although a condom was worn, I imagine it did not cover this part of my penis.  The bump is red (darker than the rest of the region), and appears to be somewhat oily.  However, there is no itching, but it is sensative when touched. What is curious, though, is that when I look close enough I can see what appears to be a small hole, perhaps where a hair once was (there is hair around the bump); nonetheless, the hole is natural.  Could this also be an ingrown hair?  I should also note that I have been fighting a cold for the past 14 days, as well.  I do not have any flu-like symptoms, just a chronic cough and stuffiness.  Is it possible that in my panic I am also reading too much into all of this?  I concentrate too much on the feeling when I urinate, so as to determine whether it burns, etc.  Wouldn't a herpes outbreak be a cluster of blisters?

Thanks, and I look forward to your response.  This site is a Godsend for every sexually active male who have made errors in judgment.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think it is an ingrown hair.  Everything you say about it points to its being an ingrown hair--it's being a single lesion, staying the same for a week, the fact that you used a condom, etc.  I cannot, however, give you a definitive diagnosis remotely.  For that you will need to see a doctor.  Since that will take time, I suggest bringing a good-quality photograph (admittedly hard in that area, but still a good idea.)  Meantime, I suggest you not confuse the issue by manipulating the bump.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff