Irritation and white bumps

[crodel]

I posted a few weeks ago about a red heat rash and burning/irritation I was experiencing on my scrotum and shaft (several weeks after a protected encounter with a stranger). I speculated that it may have been a yeast infection, so I tried Monistat for a week and it seemed to help...but there is still some irritation and some occasional redness down there (although definately better than it was a few weeks ago).

I've now started to notice some white/flesh colored pimple-type bumps appearing on my parts of my shaft and similar bumps have been on my upper/inner thighs since several weeks back (mentioned it in my earlier post). They don't hurt and they don't seem to "pop" or scab over like what I read about herpes bumps. They also seem to be more pronounced on some days than others...almost like they come and go.

Thanks to some extra antibiotics I had at home from previous things...I've done a week of doxycycline and cipro, but that hasn't appeared to help anything noticably.

Any ideas what this could be? Does this sound like genital herpes or genital warts? I realize I need to see a doctor for a real diagnosis, but I'm reluctant to do that.

[crodel]

You're right - the STD in itself is not embarassing. What I find personally embarassing is the situation I put myself in that made an STD a possibility. I'm embarassed about my own actions...and regret it big time. That's whay I'm reluctant to see my doctor...but I know I need to. I'm hoping the doctor at the free/confidential STD clinic can at least ease my worries or help solve my problem, so I can avoid seeing MY doctor.

[Vance2335]

There is nothing embarassing about a STD. Millions of people get them each year. I know you maybe embarrassed but Dr's have seen it all before and diagnosed it all before, it would not be new to him or her.

[crodel]

Thanks for the input - really appreciate it. There is a free/confidential STD clinic here, and I think that's going to be my first stop. I'm hoping they can rule out an STD so that I can go to my dermatologist without as much fear of an embarassing diagnosis. I too was really hoping that it was just a yeast infection, since the Monistat did seem to help. However (I didn't mention this), I did try do a week of Fluconazole (my wife had it left over from a previous yeast infection)...and it didn't seem to impact my problem.

The anxiety about it all is really driving me nuts. I've read so much about various STD symptoms - and none seem to really closely fit what I'm experiencing. I just feel like the timing of this whole thing (started right after my "rouge" encounter) is too perfect to NOT be related. I hope I'm wrong and you all are right.

[PaperCuts]

I second the doctor idea.  I know it's a little scary, especially after sex you feel is questionable.  I've had almost the exact same situation before, and I hold a lot of anxiety about it as well.   This sounds, however, like a yeast infection that has been allowed to spread and worsen due to the wrong treatment.  

Yeast infections usually work from the inside out; the yeast that is causing it is found in your stomach, actually.  Topical medications can only do so much once an infection has started.  You definitely need to see your doctor so he/she can provide you with an oral medication to fight the yeast from the inside, and a stronger topical medication to apply to the rash itself.

I would suggest going directly to a dermatologist, if you can, to have it looked at.  If it is a yeast infection, it is not going to go away until you treat it.  If it is something STD-related (and most people here would probably say it in unlikely), the doctor should be able to tell that as well.  To sit and suffer with no answers, just anxiety and irritation, is just going to be worse than either scenario.  Good luck, and please post the results of your visit to help others.

[Vance2335]

Sorry I can't be much help but to direct you to a Dr at this point. Bumps can be so many different things it is too difficult to tell you what they are.