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Folliculitis or herpes???? Please help....
Hi all,
I hope someone can help me.
About ten days ago, I got a scratch on my labia during my period when inserting an applicator tampon - I was in a rush and caught my labia, and scratched up the join between the inner and outer labia quite deeply.
A day later it was really swore, swollen, and by the next day, it looked like an ulcer. I went straight to my doctor, worried about STIs, and he said it wasn't herpes, but instead I had a minor infection and to use an antibiotic cream he prescribed.
Over the next couple of days, the cut healed well, but day by day, more red spots/sores began to appear across my labia (where the hair is). In one area, the labia swelled significantly, was hard (like a pea) and had a white/yellow pus-like top to it. This was in a position that urine would contact when using the bathroom which would sting. Other small pus-filled spots continued to develop over the next few days and so I went back to the doctor convinced it was herpes or something. Again, he said not (I had no other symptoms, reason to think I had exposure, and timescales not consistent with reaction to HSV etc), and that infact, I now had infected hair follicles across my labia (I shave that area a lot) and needed to wait for them to drain, keep using the cream etc. He also noted I had an ingrown hair in the larger sore spot, so to wait for it to work it's way out. I couldn't resist trying to squeeze it out though, which hurt like hell and certainly didn't help and I probably helped spread the infection?
Anyway, most of these spots are now disappearing, but the odd one is still appearing, but the one big one I mentioned is still VERY sore (although a hair did work it's way out of there last night) and the area around it is very swollen, and almost blistered/scaly? This one area has definitely worsened.
I'm really scared that it is herpes after all. I had swabs taken and will get results later this week. I know I should probably listen to my GP and stop worrying, but I am a major worrier, and just can't stop thinking about all the 'what if's' etc?
Does this sound like it is a folliculitis infection that could have been spread from the original infected cut? Have I made that one area massively worse by trying to squeeze it?
As an aside, I am in a long-term mongoamous relationship and had a clear STI (routine and I go each year) check in April.
Thanks
I hope someone can help me.
About ten days ago, I got a scratch on my labia during my period when inserting an applicator tampon - I was in a rush and caught my labia, and scratched up the join between the inner and outer labia quite deeply.
A day later it was really swore, swollen, and by the next day, it looked like an ulcer. I went straight to my doctor, worried about STIs, and he said it wasn't herpes, but instead I had a minor infection and to use an antibiotic cream he prescribed.
Over the next couple of days, the cut healed well, but day by day, more red spots/sores began to appear across my labia (where the hair is). In one area, the labia swelled significantly, was hard (like a pea) and had a white/yellow pus-like top to it. This was in a position that urine would contact when using the bathroom which would sting. Other small pus-filled spots continued to develop over the next few days and so I went back to the doctor convinced it was herpes or something. Again, he said not (I had no other symptoms, reason to think I had exposure, and timescales not consistent with reaction to HSV etc), and that infact, I now had infected hair follicles across my labia (I shave that area a lot) and needed to wait for them to drain, keep using the cream etc. He also noted I had an ingrown hair in the larger sore spot, so to wait for it to work it's way out. I couldn't resist trying to squeeze it out though, which hurt like hell and certainly didn't help and I probably helped spread the infection?
Anyway, most of these spots are now disappearing, but the odd one is still appearing, but the one big one I mentioned is still VERY sore (although a hair did work it's way out of there last night) and the area around it is very swollen, and almost blistered/scaly? This one area has definitely worsened.
I'm really scared that it is herpes after all. I had swabs taken and will get results later this week. I know I should probably listen to my GP and stop worrying, but I am a major worrier, and just can't stop thinking about all the 'what if's' etc?
Does this sound like it is a folliculitis infection that could have been spread from the original infected cut? Have I made that one area massively worse by trying to squeeze it?
As an aside, I am in a long-term mongoamous relationship and had a clear STI (routine and I go each year) check in April.
Thanks
Hi Grace,
Yes, you're right - I got much worse over the weekend and, although no fever developed etc my lymph nodes swelled and the 'boil' strated to drain, wihch was agonising when in contact with clothing or urine when I used the bathroom, Had to head to the hospital walk in centre (as the location of the boil meant I couldn't sit or stand properly) where they said I had a pretty hefty staph infection and prescribed me a week's worth of flucloxacillin to help clear things up, although, the fact the big abcess is draining is a good sign,even if it is horrid and hurts like hell!
I am going to be OCD about bacteria atfer this!!!!!
Thank for your reply :-)
Yes, you're right - I got much worse over the weekend and, although no fever developed etc my lymph nodes swelled and the 'boil' strated to drain, wihch was agonising when in contact with clothing or urine when I used the bathroom, Had to head to the hospital walk in centre (as the location of the boil meant I couldn't sit or stand properly) where they said I had a pretty hefty staph infection and prescribed me a week's worth of flucloxacillin to help clear things up, although, the fact the big abcess is draining is a good sign,even if it is horrid and hurts like hell!
I am going to be OCD about bacteria atfer this!!!!!
Thank for your reply :-)
It sounds like either a whooper of a folliculitis going on or perhaps a bacterial skin infection. stop picking at things and don't shave again for awhile and give it a chance to clear up. Meanwhile try things like soaking in the tubby with epsom salts to soothe the irritated skin and help with your itching and pain.
grace
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
