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Genital Herpes? Genital Warts? Or Acne?
Hello Dr. HHH,
I've read a lot of your responses online and I believe they are highly accurate that is why I am writing to you. I had sexual intercourse with this woman on Oct 10th of this year. She was a little on the wild side ... possibly slept around a lot too? Anyway, I've noticed all kinds of health problems afterwards. I wore a condom that night. There was no foreplay or after play. I can remember picking up the condom about 15 minutes or so after we had sex and by accident I touched my face when I was popping a pimple. I dont know why I did that ... very careless of me! I hope I have nothing to worry about?
To begin with, I thought I had swollen lymph nodes; however, when I went to see a few different doctors, I finally found one that told me I had something called tinea barbae. I guess swollen lymph nodes are under the skin, not inside the skin. Anyway, it is kind of going away slowly. I am very worried that it might be a symptom of some std?
In addition, I had something called folliculitis in my pubic hair region and now that has gone away completely.
Finally, two weeks ago I noticed that I have very very small white, kinda like pimples on the inside of my foreskin. They are in small clusters. I am not circumcised by the way. These small pimples have not grown at all since I first noticed them, but they are kinda itchy. No problems when I urinate. I went to another doctor and he said they dont look like warts, but I should keep an eye on them. He thinks they might be caused from irritation. Maybe masturbation? I am so worried that they might turn out to be genital warts or something? The thing is, I wore a condom over my entire penis that night and I have no idea what these little white clustery pimples are? I really hope you can help me. Thank you so much Dr. HHH! I really appreciate the help!!
Jesse (from Canada)
I've read a lot of your responses online and I believe they are highly accurate that is why I am writing to you. I had sexual intercourse with this woman on Oct 10th of this year. She was a little on the wild side ... possibly slept around a lot too? Anyway, I've noticed all kinds of health problems afterwards. I wore a condom that night. There was no foreplay or after play. I can remember picking up the condom about 15 minutes or so after we had sex and by accident I touched my face when I was popping a pimple. I dont know why I did that ... very careless of me! I hope I have nothing to worry about?
To begin with, I thought I had swollen lymph nodes; however, when I went to see a few different doctors, I finally found one that told me I had something called tinea barbae. I guess swollen lymph nodes are under the skin, not inside the skin. Anyway, it is kind of going away slowly. I am very worried that it might be a symptom of some std?
In addition, I had something called folliculitis in my pubic hair region and now that has gone away completely.
Finally, two weeks ago I noticed that I have very very small white, kinda like pimples on the inside of my foreskin. They are in small clusters. I am not circumcised by the way. These small pimples have not grown at all since I first noticed them, but they are kinda itchy. No problems when I urinate. I went to another doctor and he said they dont look like warts, but I should keep an eye on them. He thinks they might be caused from irritation. Maybe masturbation? I am so worried that they might turn out to be genital warts or something? The thing is, I wore a condom over my entire penis that night and I have no idea what these little white clustery pimples are? I really hope you can help me. Thank you so much Dr. HHH! I really appreciate the help!!
Jesse (from Canada)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dr. Handsfield and I share the forum. You got me. FYI, the reason we share the forum is because we have worked together for nearly 30 years and while our verbiage styles vary, we have never disagreed on management strategies or advice to clients.
You are clearly nervous about the encounter you describe but you need not be. Your encounter was condom protected and thus safe sex. That you touched your face to squeeze a pimple (in general not a good idea) after touching the condom does not put you at risk. Even if your partner has an STD which, despite her being a bit on the "wild side", is statistically unlikely, you could not give yourself an STD in the manner you describe. It just does not happen.
Having said that, let's look a little closer at the information you have provided. Your nervousness has taken you to a number of different doctors. This suggests to me that you did not believe the first one (or the second...., or the next....) and kept going to them until you found someone willing to make a diagnosis. If you had an STD, it would not be that hard to make the diagnosis.
Secondly, you describe genital problems when the concern you express in your first paragraph is about your face. Again, this suggests that STDs are not the problem here.
Folliculitis and tinea barbae are each forms of folliculitis is which your pores get clogged, not STDs. That you have acne suggests that you are prone to this.
Finally, the bumps you describe on your penis are most likely either pearly penile papules or sebaceous cysts - probably the former.
Bottom line, you have nothing to worry about. I urge you to stop worrying about the exposure you describe. You are not at risk and do not need testing. EWH
You are clearly nervous about the encounter you describe but you need not be. Your encounter was condom protected and thus safe sex. That you touched your face to squeeze a pimple (in general not a good idea) after touching the condom does not put you at risk. Even if your partner has an STD which, despite her being a bit on the "wild side", is statistically unlikely, you could not give yourself an STD in the manner you describe. It just does not happen.
Having said that, let's look a little closer at the information you have provided. Your nervousness has taken you to a number of different doctors. This suggests to me that you did not believe the first one (or the second...., or the next....) and kept going to them until you found someone willing to make a diagnosis. If you had an STD, it would not be that hard to make the diagnosis.
Secondly, you describe genital problems when the concern you express in your first paragraph is about your face. Again, this suggests that STDs are not the problem here.
Folliculitis and tinea barbae are each forms of folliculitis is which your pores get clogged, not STDs. That you have acne suggests that you are prone to this.
Finally, the bumps you describe on your penis are most likely either pearly penile papules or sebaceous cysts - probably the former.
Bottom line, you have nothing to worry about. I urge you to stop worrying about the exposure you describe. You are not at risk and do not need testing. EWH
Thank you very much for the information Dr. E. W. Hook! I really appreciate it! This helps relieve a lot of anxiety that I've had for almost two months now! Thanks!
Jesse
Jesse
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
