folliculitis, herpes, or genital warts?

[plzhelpme1991]

Im 17 and I have only had sex once with one girl.  I wore a condom, and this was about six or seven months ago.  For the last 2 or 3 months, i have had pimple-like bumps on my inner thighs by the base of my penis.  There are about 9 of them all together, in the same area.  I can pop them, and white stuff comes out, but they always come back.  I clean the area several times a day, but it doesnt seem to make a difference. I play hockey, and occasionally I wear spandex...could possibly have led to infected hair follicules?  I really hope this is just folliculitis instead of herpes or genital warts please help me!  If anyone knows what this is, please let me know i am really nervous about this.  If it is folliculitis, how can i get rid of it?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Yes, folliculitis is still a differential here. The image is not very clear. Folliculitis is contagious and may spread through skin to skin contact. At this point you may use antimicrobial soaps over the area. I do not think you need oral antibiotics at this point. Avoid any sexual contact for the meantime. Topical antimicrobial creams may also be of help. See if the lesions heal. If they persist I suggest you seek consult with your physician for further evaluation

[plzhelpme1991]

they actually are pimple-like, thats why i wasnt sure if they were warts or not.  i can pop them and pus comes out.  they look like they have rough edges in the picture, but actually that is two pimples together.  each one is round with a red base and a white head.  there are a couple that formed near each other but the edges are not rough.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

The image is not very clear but it does show that the lesions are clustered together, they are slightly red to skin colored, they are raised, slightly irregular, no pus and they do not ulcerate.

For this type of skin condition with a history of sexual contact, primary differentials will be warts, molluscum contangiosum, and folliculitis. I still consider genital warts here because of the irregularly shaped lesions. They also appear to have rough edges (am I correct?) .They are elevated and skin colored.Warts do appear in a similar presentation. Molluscum appears to be tiny, shiny, smooth papules with a depressed center. When manipulated, a white sticky substance may be derived from the center of the molluscum lesion.In your case, I do not see any depression or umbilication in the lesions. Folliculitis should be pustular (pimple like) and they have a red base. They also involve hair follicles although they necessarily do not have to cluster together.

I understand your concern. However, warts, molluscum and folliculitis may be readily treated. At this point, we need to differentiate them from each other. Have this checked by your physician. These 3 differentials are contagious. It is best to avoid sexual contact until you have been assessed.Folliculitis requires topical or oral antibiotics.