Genital Acne or What?

[bfreeman812]

I found some very small scattered pimples on just one of my labia majora a couple weeks ago and am kind of concerned about it. I engaged in unprotected sex two months ago and had no symptoms until my recent notice of them. I have been watching them daily and they haven't changed in appearance or feeling. I've noticed no oozing of pus or fluid, crusting or blistering, itching or pain. I can't even feel them unless I touch them with my hand. They don't look like sores either. They feel like actual pimples one would get on the face. I am also a frequent shaver and have recently shaved a little too rough recently.

I was trying to let the hair grow out and see if that made any changes to it, but it hasn't. I ended up having to shave again, because of the irritation of the hair growth. The pimples didn't come off from my shaving either (no changes occurred either from the razor). I also have to walk over 5 blocks to work every day and the constant rubbing was driving me crazy. I tried using body lotion with aloe as well as baby powder.

My question is this: could it be herpes or am I just looking at a skin condition related to the shaving? I heard somewhere that pimples can occur just about anywhere on the body, including the genital region. And nothing else has occurred even though I've been under a tremendous amount of stress from starting a new job. I suffer from an anxiety disorder, which I'm wondering if it might have anything related to the "pimples" "down there". I do suffer from the occasional cold sore, which I've been getting since I was a baby. I feel no sensation or feeling "down there" that I normally get when I know a cold sore is coming on. Hope all this info helps.

Also, I am going to Planned Parenthood next week to get tested and am planning on bringing it up to the doctor. Thanks so much!!!

[bfreeman812]

Dr. Bhupinder Kaur:

Thank you very much for answering my post. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. Well, I went to Planned Parenthood and the physician who I saw examined me and told me I do not have genital herpes legions rather I have genital warts. Ugh!!! I'm really disgusted by it, but am somewhat relieved they aren't herpes sores. It's bad enough I get cold sores, I don't need the extra stress of those things "down there" as well. Anyways, thanks for the support. If you have any advice or guidance, whatsoever, please feel free to reply. But please don't feel obligated.

I am taking it upon myself to try the apple cider vinegar method to get rid of them if possible. My health insurance hasn't kicked in yet and the prescription she gave me for Aldera is way too expensive. So, for the time being, I'm going to attempt the vinegar method (last night was my first night) and see if it helps any. If not, I'm going to go to my normal gyno in July when my insurance kicks in and see what she recommends.

Again, thanks and hopefully I'll hear from you soon. Take care.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like irritated hair follicles or folliculitis. Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then consult a dermatologist and get it examined.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[bfreeman812]

The rubbing I was referring to was NOT to the "pimples", it was to the hairs growing back from not shaving for a while.