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Flat warts on scrotum?
Ok, here it goes. I noticed 2 red areas of skin on my scrotum about 3 weeks ago while applying jock itch cream on my scrotum. I immediatley pannicked and thought that they might
be warts. My fears were immediately confirmed when I applied vinegar to one of the spots and it appeared to turn "lighter". They are smooth and ever so slightly raised areas. They aren't symmetrical in appearance and the shapes can better be seen when you stretch the skin. I immediately set an appointment for an STD clinic to have the spots checked out. The lady at the clinic told me that they didn't look to her to be warts, but that she didn't want to say that they aboslutely weren't because they have only been there for a few days. I waited 2 and a half weeks constantly monitoring the area. They seemed to almost disappear as the redness faded you could barely see them unless you looked really hard. However, I suffer from chronic eczema of the scrotum, and had an outbreak while these spots had subsided. After the outbreak they appeared red again and then they turn a pinkish color. After still noticing them after 2 and a half weeks, I set up an appointment with my dermatoligist. The derm wasn't in the office when I first arrived and an assistant saw me instead. After looking at the areas, he said he almost wanted to say that they could be flat warts. He said that he wasn't 100 percent sure and said that it's about 50/50 that they could be. He said that he wanted to consult the dermatologist and asked if I could come back so my derm could see them. I said yes and he called my derm on the phone to see if my derm could see me later on that day because I was so distraught. While on the phone with my derm, he asked my derm if he ever saw flat warts on the scrotum. My derm said no but said that he would see me later on that day when he came in. Upon return later that day, my dermatologist inspected these spots with a light. After looking at them for a few seconds he said that they were not warts. He said that they just look like areas of skin that grow faster than the surrounding areas and that skin sometimes does that. He also said that Flat warts tend to grow in large clusters. I was really shaken up by the thought that they could be warts so I asked him again later in the conversation if he was sure they weren't warts. And he said that he has seen "thousands of warts" over his years in practice and that if I had warts, he would be treating them. He said that "I can guarantee you that those aren't warts." I was very relieved as you could imagine for I had worked myself in such a frenzy over this whole thing. My question is, can I accept this diagnoses as accurate and finally move on with my life? The areas of skin are still there and I can still see them. Will they go away? And if so, how long should it take? Does my dermatologists diagnoses seem
accurate and have you ever seen something similair to what I describe? Please help me put this horrible nightmare behind me
be warts. My fears were immediately confirmed when I applied vinegar to one of the spots and it appeared to turn "lighter". They are smooth and ever so slightly raised areas. They aren't symmetrical in appearance and the shapes can better be seen when you stretch the skin. I immediately set an appointment for an STD clinic to have the spots checked out. The lady at the clinic told me that they didn't look to her to be warts, but that she didn't want to say that they aboslutely weren't because they have only been there for a few days. I waited 2 and a half weeks constantly monitoring the area. They seemed to almost disappear as the redness faded you could barely see them unless you looked really hard. However, I suffer from chronic eczema of the scrotum, and had an outbreak while these spots had subsided. After the outbreak they appeared red again and then they turn a pinkish color. After still noticing them after 2 and a half weeks, I set up an appointment with my dermatoligist. The derm wasn't in the office when I first arrived and an assistant saw me instead. After looking at the areas, he said he almost wanted to say that they could be flat warts. He said that he wasn't 100 percent sure and said that it's about 50/50 that they could be. He said that he wanted to consult the dermatologist and asked if I could come back so my derm could see them. I said yes and he called my derm on the phone to see if my derm could see me later on that day because I was so distraught. While on the phone with my derm, he asked my derm if he ever saw flat warts on the scrotum. My derm said no but said that he would see me later on that day when he came in. Upon return later that day, my dermatologist inspected these spots with a light. After looking at them for a few seconds he said that they were not warts. He said that they just look like areas of skin that grow faster than the surrounding areas and that skin sometimes does that. He also said that Flat warts tend to grow in large clusters. I was really shaken up by the thought that they could be warts so I asked him again later in the conversation if he was sure they weren't warts. And he said that he has seen "thousands of warts" over his years in practice and that if I had warts, he would be treating them. He said that "I can guarantee you that those aren't warts." I was very relieved as you could imagine for I had worked myself in such a frenzy over this whole thing. My question is, can I accept this diagnoses as accurate and finally move on with my life? The areas of skin are still there and I can still see them. Will they go away? And if so, how long should it take? Does my dermatologists diagnoses seem
accurate and have you ever seen something similair to what I describe? Please help me put this horrible nightmare behind me
Hi there- I've been watching this column for a few weeks now. I was hoping you would let me know what the biopsy diagnosis was of those bumps you had taken off by your derm about a month ago- the bumps that broke into little hard balls and then bled- bled more than your average popped pimple. You thought they were either warts or molluscum. I am curious as my husband and I have the same little "bumps". I am in Canada, and it is a 6-12 month wait in my area to get into a dermatologist (or should I say THE dermatologist- there is only one). That is- after you've managed to convince your GP that you really need to see one. So, out of curiousity, what was the verdict?
I also wanted to reach out to you on a personal level. You seem to be completely preoccupied with getting warts or any other STD. I mean, how much time do you spend each day searching the internet, thinking about it, and examining yourself? Alot, right? Alot- to the point that it is interferring with your day to day life. I'm not making fun of you- here I am myself- worried that I have something bad. But I wish there was something I could say to alleviate some of your anxiety. It's something that you need to let go of. Don't let it dictate your day to day activities. Having warts suck- yes. Having herpes- also *****- yes. And I can say both with experience. Both diagnosis came to me after I was married and in a monogamous relationship (13 years now). I think "monogamous"- I can speak for myself and my husband denies any extra-martial activities (naturally I question that at times- I'm not naive, but he is a wonderful guy- I just can't see it- and he shows no signs of either infection himself). The biggest problem is what it has done to my self- esteem. I feel dirty and broken. But let's put that into perspective. It's not a terminal disease. I'm not going to die from either. In fact, it's given me the heads up to get annual screening for cervical cancer. I'm at higher risk- so I know to watch for it. Women that carry the disease latently (there's alot of them) will only be told to be screened every 5 years. I'm ahead of the game there. And think about it- we can have warts on our hands and herpes on our lips- where everyone can see it and that's ok. You can get plantar warts from pretty much any pool changing room and people think that's ok. But anything below the belt- and the stigma is slapped on. It's assumed you were doing something bad to get it. Oh really? We were doing what everyone else on the planet does, but we get the stigma. It's a shame really that society has to take such a arrogant stand. I wonder how many more people would step forward and be responsible for treatment and disclosure of an STD if there wasn't such a horrible stigma around it. Anyhow, I just wanted to try to tell you that there are others out there, feeling like you feel- worried sick about having or getting an STD. If it is the actual sexual encounter that you had that is your biggest concern- you are feeling bad, guilty, or or just plain stupid about it- there is nothing you can do to change what has happened. You know never to do it again. There are lots of different things you can do to avoid getting infectious diseases- things that will lessen your chances. But the only 100% fool proof way to avoid it is to never have sex. Unfortunately, you won't live any longer if you never have sex. It will just feel longer. Chin up.
I also wanted to reach out to you on a personal level. You seem to be completely preoccupied with getting warts or any other STD. I mean, how much time do you spend each day searching the internet, thinking about it, and examining yourself? Alot, right? Alot- to the point that it is interferring with your day to day life. I'm not making fun of you- here I am myself- worried that I have something bad. But I wish there was something I could say to alleviate some of your anxiety. It's something that you need to let go of. Don't let it dictate your day to day activities. Having warts suck- yes. Having herpes- also *****- yes. And I can say both with experience. Both diagnosis came to me after I was married and in a monogamous relationship (13 years now). I think "monogamous"- I can speak for myself and my husband denies any extra-martial activities (naturally I question that at times- I'm not naive, but he is a wonderful guy- I just can't see it- and he shows no signs of either infection himself). The biggest problem is what it has done to my self- esteem. I feel dirty and broken. But let's put that into perspective. It's not a terminal disease. I'm not going to die from either. In fact, it's given me the heads up to get annual screening for cervical cancer. I'm at higher risk- so I know to watch for it. Women that carry the disease latently (there's alot of them) will only be told to be screened every 5 years. I'm ahead of the game there. And think about it- we can have warts on our hands and herpes on our lips- where everyone can see it and that's ok. You can get plantar warts from pretty much any pool changing room and people think that's ok. But anything below the belt- and the stigma is slapped on. It's assumed you were doing something bad to get it. Oh really? We were doing what everyone else on the planet does, but we get the stigma. It's a shame really that society has to take such a arrogant stand. I wonder how many more people would step forward and be responsible for treatment and disclosure of an STD if there wasn't such a horrible stigma around it. Anyhow, I just wanted to try to tell you that there are others out there, feeling like you feel- worried sick about having or getting an STD. If it is the actual sexual encounter that you had that is your biggest concern- you are feeling bad, guilty, or or just plain stupid about it- there is nothing you can do to change what has happened. You know never to do it again. There are lots of different things you can do to avoid getting infectious diseases- things that will lessen your chances. But the only 100% fool proof way to avoid it is to never have sex. Unfortunately, you won't live any longer if you never have sex. It will just feel longer. Chin up.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your question is, ". . . can I accept this diagnoses as accurate and finally move on with my life?"
My answer is: Yes!
I agree with everything your dermatologist said, I too have seen thousands of warts but never flat warts on the scrotum. That, plus the fact that your obviously experienced dermatolgist looked at you and said what he did seem completely convincing to me.
Vinegar tests are unreliable--vinegar lights up lots of things that aren't warts. Don't apply vinegar and drive yourself crazy.
If you see something funny, show a doctor so you can find out and relax.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
My answer is: Yes!
I agree with everything your dermatologist said, I too have seen thousands of warts but never flat warts on the scrotum. That, plus the fact that your obviously experienced dermatolgist looked at you and said what he did seem completely convincing to me.
Vinegar tests are unreliable--vinegar lights up lots of things that aren't warts. Don't apply vinegar and drive yourself crazy.
If you see something funny, show a doctor so you can find out and relax.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
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