Pricking sensasion groin

[Coors138]

For approximately 7 months I have had an Intermittent pricking, tingling sensations in the groin, penis and scrotum area (maybe like a mild bee sting sensation).  The pricking type sensation is mainly in the penis, but sometimes on the scrotum back of scrotum and groin area. The pricking sensation seems to be present mainly when sitting during the day. This sensation is not real painful abd the skin is clear. Other symptoms include some strange very mild headaches or sensations.  One head sensasion occurs behind my ear and other parts of my head as well.  About 8 months ago the mild unusal headaches occured for about a three week period and subsided but seemed odd and I would wake up with the very mild headaches.   A little over a year ago I had a encounter with a lady friend with an exchange of oral sex.  I was wondering if this encounter would have caused some type of STD like the symptoms I described?  I have given blood twice recently and I have passed the blood screening.  But it is my understanding they blood screen does not include herpes.   My dermatologist has examined my groin area and didn't see any noticable signs of STD's and said not to worry.  Any idea's  Thank You

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your WBC is in the low normal range and to worry about the meaning of a test which has substantial day-to-day variation without context really cannot tell you much at all.  You really need to stop worrying and examining every little thing that you think might be abnormal.  EWH

[Coors138]

I have one more question, I was reading a few posts and Dr. Handsfield reported in one case that contracting Herpes 1 or 2 through oral sex can be a possibility.  So perhaps it may be a low possibility, but your medical opinion it is not a possibility?  
Also I was wondering if my white blood cell count may be the result of an STD, such as herpes.  My last white blood cell count, last week was 3.6 previous to that was 3.9 and in November it was 2.9.  May of 2009 it was 5.3.   Any thoughts as to what may be pulling my white blood cell count down?  Only other symptoms as I stated before are the mild pricking sensations and sometimes a very mild headache or sensation.  Thank You  

[Coors138]

Thank you!  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If the headaches and abnormal sensation are troubling you , I would suggest a neurologist. On the other hand, before you do, I would also point out that sometimes worrying about things like STDs can heighten sensations so perhaps these problems will subside on their own.  food for thought.  EWH

[Coors138]

Thank you for your evaluation and I am extremely grateful for your comments and I will stop the worry about an STD as it appears that the oral sex encounter his highly unlikely to produce an STD or herpes.  My skin has been clear so this is good.  My dermatologist suggested the groin pricking sensations may be the result of pressured nerves in the lower spine.  Not sure the cause of the mild headaches/sensations? Would you suggest a neurologist?  Thanks again and sorry for the wrong post site.  With Gratitude  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I repeat from above-  "In particular herpes just is not a possibility in this situation."

EWH

[Coors138]

Thank you Dr. Hook,

Can you answer one more question?  It would be hard to post the entire question again and pay again.  Would you say I could rule out Herpes as a possibility?  The pricking sensasion is odd and I have heard that herpes can go unnoticed for a year or more.  You do make a good point that my encounter with a lady friend was not a good experience or I should say that it turned for the worse and in a way made me worry.  Thank you for your reply.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You have posted on the wrong site.   Questions about STD belong on the STD prevention site.  I will do my best to answer your questions with this reply but, if you have additional questions or follow-up they must be on the STD Prevention site.  Sorry

To summarize, for the past 7 months you have had abnormal sensations intermittently involving your penis, but intermittently involving your scrotum and groin as well.  You have been seen by your dermatologist who saw nothing of concern,  you have given blood and thus been screening for syphilis., HIV and hepatitis and presumably to do not have them since you have not been notified of any problems.

The only sexual experience that you mention was receipt of oral sex, an inefficient way to get any STD.  that combined with the fact that your symptoms are not typical of STDs of any sort would seem to make STDs unlikely.  In particular herpes just is not a possibility in this situation.  on the other hand, I should point out that sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned.  This in turn leads to noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times.  I find that if I ask almost anyone to think/concentrate on any body part, their wrist, there nose or their genitals, they become more aware of that body part than normal,.. This awareness can be manifest as itching, tingling or other sensations, some of which become uncomfortable.  I wonder if this might be part of what is going on.  there really is not much to suggest STD in this situation and I see no reason from anything you have said to recommend  STD (or HIV) testing of any sort.  

I hope these comment are helpful to you.  I agree with your dermatologist and would urge you to try not to worry.  EWH