Is this Herpes ?

[Yukon 1]

Dr. Rockoff.
Last week I had protected intercourse w./a female but did not use a condom for oral.I also kissed her.Two nights later,I began experiencing some itching in my lower abdominal groin area,right where my pubic hairs are. After itching through my clothes,I took a look to see what was causing the itch. When I looked down,I saw 3 little red bumps clustered together.They appeared similar to what a mosiquito bite would look like after scratching it.(eg. little red blood dots at the top.)They were on and around my pubic hairs,close to the base of where the shaft of my penis begins.I wanted to get a closer look so I trimmed the hairs as close to the skin as possible.I'm not sure if that further irritated the problem from tugging.Suddenly realized it may be related to the sex,48 hours prior.I applied some Neosporin to the area, felt a quick slight burn and left it alone.I applied a little more the following morning,but it still itched and did not subside much.The scratching continued on my behalf until Tues,4 days after,when my derm. was able to take a look.The 1st words out of his mouth were "that looks like herpes ".He asked if I had intercourse and if I used a condom. When I told him I did and the itching w/the raised dots began 2 nights after the sex,he said it didn't make any sense.He said Herpes usually lies dormant for a while,at least a week or more before showing symptoms.He took a culture and prescribed 3 creams.I was to apply DENAVIR 1% and BACTROBAN 2% twice a day and LOCOID 0.1% only at night.After saying maybe Herpes,he then said lets wait till the culture comes back,it may just be an infected rash after scratching or folliculitis.. After only 2 days of applying the creams,I broke out into a bad rash.The itching worsened and the scratching continued.I went back for an emergency office visit. Now,instead of just the initial 3 pimple like irritated mosquito bites,the irritation and rash spread to the beginning portion of my penis and up and around my pubic hairs area,just a little higher from where the bumps 1st occured.The rash consisted of bumps,redness and irritated patches of skin. He said I had an allergic reaction to the 1 of the 2 creams so he discontinued the Bactroban and the Locoid. He said the new rashes and new irritations were not related to the original area of infection.He said to continue the DENAVIR twice a day and also precribed PSORCON.E cream to be used twice a day also.Also suggested that I use COLD MILK SOAKS to calm down the rash between the application of medicine. It's now 4 days since the new procedures were prescribed.The 3 initial dots are gone,but the secondary rash is still there and has covered the original area of infection as well. The cold milk soaks,ice cubes at times,and cold water has provided relief. I am still applying the creams but the rash doesnt seem to be going away, nor the itching. I did not have fluid like blisters , no fluid at all. have had NO pain at all either urinating or any other..just itching .No fever , no cold blisters . I have looked at the photos of " men w/ herpes " and cannot find a similarity .Could it be an irritation asscociated w/ the condom ? It only had a month left till expiration date .? Also, after initially being in a confined hot sweaty envirnment during the intercourse , we moved  outdoors  , near a lake ,right next to a wooded area .I recall there being some leaves brush and twigs. Was it possible i was bitten by something ? I Know she had touched some of the sand and then had touched me agian . After we had sex , the girl also told me during conversation that earlier that night she had eaten somethingh that made her sick and she had thrown up once but felt fine . Is this realted to that ? An infection of some sort ? The result of my culture wont be in till next week and it has been making me a little stir crazy . I have avoided all sexual contact , even masturbation, and find myself searching for an answer. It has been 7 months since I have had sex w/ out a condom , and that was w/ my girfriend who was a very hygenic person as am I. Maybe I would have not been worrying as much if hadn't heard the possibility of herpes exists. I would like to hear your opinnion . Thanks in advance.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The rash does not sound like that of herpes.  Your condom use argues against it, as does the persistence and extension up the penis.  Bacterial infection or allergy seem more likely.

You should be able to get at least a preliminary read of the culture sooner (they usually report "negative qt 3 days" etc. until the final reprt at a week.)

I would stay in touch with your dermatologist, whose assessment and management seem correct.  At the end of the day, you should be clear and fine.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[Yukon 1]

Thank you Dr. Rockoff. I only used the creams once today and the itching has pretty much calmed down. The area also looks alot better. There are NO signs of the 1st spots that appeared. All that remains is a slight redness..i am hopeful my culture wil be negative. Thanks again for the vote of confidence..i really needed it .