Boil on Testicle

[Commercecomet]

Dear Drs. Hook and HHH,

I have been sexually inactive for the past 2 months and have not engaged in unprotected sex for a long time. I tested negatively for HIV 3 months ago.

However about 3 weeks ago, I developed a small red pimple on the front portion of my testicle. It went away after a few days.

Then last night, I saw a boil underneath my testicle, which I popped and now looks like a small red pimple.

This never happened to me before but after reading various web sites on-line, it seems like boils do occur at times and are harmless.

I feel no pain at all. I don't feel itchy either. No other part of my body exhibits any symptoms.

The approach I'm taking is if another pops up, I will go to a doctor but at this point I think it's nothing honestly. What's your take? Does this sound like an HIV staff infection or HPV/HSV?

What causes boils? The only things I could think of are I'm getting older (mid 30s), taking less baths due to the power outage on the east coast, wearing heavier clothing, and I have been shaving my testicles more frequently as my hair down there has become more coarse. I have been shaving my testicles for years but certainly more frequently recently. I usually take 2 baths a day but lately have been taking 1 or none due to the storm and lack of electricity for several days.

Thank you,
Concerned

PS: Sorry about posting this in the community section. I meant to only post this in the forum. Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Great. On both counts. EWH

[Commercecomet]

Thank you the boil/Pimple is gone and electricity is back on. Thanks for your help!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. You are asking good questions.  "Boils"/pimples most often are a manifestation of folliculitis.  Folliculitis occurs when the pores in your skin get plugged.  This allows that normal bacteria that are present on just about every-one's skin to grow and cause what is essentially a pimple.  Some of these just appear as red bumps which may or may not be  tender while others go on to actually form pimples.  In some instances, if you look closely you can see a hair coming out of, or nearby the bump- this too is typical of folliculitis).  Shaving increases risk for folliculitis, presumably because it makes the hair follicle (pore) more likely to get plugged.  Folliculitis is less likely when folks bath more and use things like wash clothes at that time because the wash clothes help to keep the pores open.

What you describe raises no concerns for either HSV or HPV.

I hope your power is back on. EWH