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Herpes or something else? confused...
I think I'm always the type where I find a bump or something down there and it freaks me out. I'm always a very careful person when it comes to sex. Condoms only and I can't recall a situation where I was ever with a lady that had any kind of visible sores.
So a couple of days ago I notice a flesh colored bump that kind of looks like a pimple. I have had molluscum in the past so I thought it may have been a molluscum. I decided I would try to pop it just to make sure it wasn't a molluscum infection.
Nothing really came out, it started to bleed and that was it.
The next day I notice the area I had pushed/popped now looked like a bit of a blister/sore not sure how to better describe that.
The area is small, maybe 5mm to 10mm in diameter. The center right now looks like a white blister but I can't tell if there is or isn't fluid inside it. It has a small thin 1mm or less red circle around that area. It doesn't really itch or hurt.
There was no rash prior to the bump appearing either. It literally was just a small flesh/white colored bump.
I've seen photos of syphillis and chancroid and I really don't think it's either of those either.
Is it likely this is herpes or is more likely that I may have attempted to pop a sebaceous cyst and now its either infected or something else?
Any input is helpful.
So a couple of days ago I notice a flesh colored bump that kind of looks like a pimple. I have had molluscum in the past so I thought it may have been a molluscum. I decided I would try to pop it just to make sure it wasn't a molluscum infection.
Nothing really came out, it started to bleed and that was it.
The next day I notice the area I had pushed/popped now looked like a bit of a blister/sore not sure how to better describe that.
The area is small, maybe 5mm to 10mm in diameter. The center right now looks like a white blister but I can't tell if there is or isn't fluid inside it. It has a small thin 1mm or less red circle around that area. It doesn't really itch or hurt.
There was no rash prior to the bump appearing either. It literally was just a small flesh/white colored bump.
I've seen photos of syphillis and chancroid and I really don't think it's either of those either.
Is it likely this is herpes or is more likely that I may have attempted to pop a sebaceous cyst and now its either infected or something else?
Any input is helpful.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for clarifying the location; as noted above, this would be an aty[ical location for herpes. Initial herpes rarely occurs in hair-bearing areas.
I just realized you have been asking herpes-related questions on the forum a long time. Let's plan on making this the last one. You really need to get over "freaking out" about herpes every time you develop a skin problem "down there".
I just realized you have been asking herpes-related questions on the forum a long time. Let's plan on making this the last one. You really need to get over "freaking out" about herpes every time you develop a skin problem "down there".
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
Before I even read your question, I'm going to guess that you have "something else", not herpes. An important take-home message about genital herpes is that when genital herpes causes symptoms at all, usually they are very typical. "Atypical" herpes is largely a misnomer. When people have symptoms not initially recognized as herpes, usually it is because they are mild -- not because they are otherwise unusual. But people with any genital area symptoms at all, without herpes blisters/sores, usually do not have herpes. That includes people with many symptoms often listed in herpes educational materials, like tingling, skin burning, red rashes, and so on. If herpes blisters/sores have never been observed, herpes is unlikely. Also, herpes never causes ongoing symptoms for any length of time. Symptoms rarely last more than 1-2 weeks, especially for recurrent outbreaks; outbreaks never occur more often than once every 4-6 weeks; and between outbreaks there are no symptoms at all.
This isn't mean to lecture you. I'm just taking the opportunity to help future users with unexplained genital symptoms who may be concerned about herpes. Now to your questions.
What you describe really doesn't sound like herpes. Another characteristic of herpes lesions is that they change over several days -- red bump to blister to open sore to scab, over 5-10 days. Also, herpes lesions are quite superficial, whereas sebaceous cysts, pimples, etc are deeper. Think of herpes lesions as "on" the skin, the others as "in" the skin, often welling up from below. What you describe sounds more like the latter. Finally, location. You don't say exactly where this lesion is. Although herpes can occur anywhere around the genital area, initial outbreaks usually are at sites of maximum friction during sex: the penis itself or, in women, the vaginal opening and labia minor, or anus if sexually exposed.
Of course, a discussion like this is not definitive. The only way to know for sure is to see a health care provider. But from what you say, herpes seems unlikely.
Regards--- HHH, MD
Before I even read your question, I'm going to guess that you have "something else", not herpes. An important take-home message about genital herpes is that when genital herpes causes symptoms at all, usually they are very typical. "Atypical" herpes is largely a misnomer. When people have symptoms not initially recognized as herpes, usually it is because they are mild -- not because they are otherwise unusual. But people with any genital area symptoms at all, without herpes blisters/sores, usually do not have herpes. That includes people with many symptoms often listed in herpes educational materials, like tingling, skin burning, red rashes, and so on. If herpes blisters/sores have never been observed, herpes is unlikely. Also, herpes never causes ongoing symptoms for any length of time. Symptoms rarely last more than 1-2 weeks, especially for recurrent outbreaks; outbreaks never occur more often than once every 4-6 weeks; and between outbreaks there are no symptoms at all.
This isn't mean to lecture you. I'm just taking the opportunity to help future users with unexplained genital symptoms who may be concerned about herpes. Now to your questions.
What you describe really doesn't sound like herpes. Another characteristic of herpes lesions is that they change over several days -- red bump to blister to open sore to scab, over 5-10 days. Also, herpes lesions are quite superficial, whereas sebaceous cysts, pimples, etc are deeper. Think of herpes lesions as "on" the skin, the others as "in" the skin, often welling up from below. What you describe sounds more like the latter. Finally, location. You don't say exactly where this lesion is. Although herpes can occur anywhere around the genital area, initial outbreaks usually are at sites of maximum friction during sex: the penis itself or, in women, the vaginal opening and labia minor, or anus if sexually exposed.
Of course, a discussion like this is not definitive. The only way to know for sure is to see a health care provider. But from what you say, herpes seems unlikely.
Regards--- HHH, MD
Should also say this bump or ulcer or whatever it is located at or just below the base of the penis. I'm told its relatively rare to get herpes in this location.
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.
