Risk of STD exposure through my ringworm infected skin?

[mikefromlondonuk]

Hello doctor,

I'm a hetro male, 34, from London UK desperately in need of advise. I've already posted in the 'open' forum and gotten some positive advise, but would like your opinion also.

In the past few months I've visited 6 different escorts in different brothels, specifically for protected hand-jobs, by which I mean ALWAYS with a condom. I'd assumed what I was doing was about as safe as it gets for such visits.

However. I visited my doctors (regular, not STD specialist) because I've had a small area of dry, rough skin/small cut on my forearm and another similar thing on my back for a few weeks now (2, maybe 3 weeks), which haven't resolved as scrapes usually do. To my surprise he seemed fairly certain they weren't cuts, but ringworm. I knew nothing about ringworm at the time, though now I'm well informed. Taking treatment for that.

My concern is, what risk/s have I put myself at since I've been visiting these brothels, with ringworm? Essentially I've have broken skin in two places and am worried about the possibility of these areas being a conduit for STD infection.

My visits were always topless hand-jobs (with condom). It's possible, even likely, the escort/s have touched these broken skin areas, though I'm more worried by the fact I've definitely laid the broken skin area on my back on bedsheets or towels that have probably had other clients or escorts secretions etc. Is it possible I could have been exposed to any STD's this way? Eg. STD > Bedsheet/Towel/Touch > My broken skin > Infection

Another, I think more unlikely concern, is the possibility that my doctors's diagnosis of ringworm is incorrect (as he's not an STD specialist) and these are actually syphilis chancres. Is it a possibility based on the nature of my contact? I understand chancres can appear anywhere. I wonder if a visit to an STD specialist would be a good idea to discount this.

Very concerned and really appreciate your expert advise on this matter,

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad I coul help.  EWH

[mikefromlondonuk]

Thanks for replying.

Will take your advise and I accept I'm not dealing with an STD, which is a relief.

You provide a useful service for those of a anxious disposition, please keep up the good work.

M

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Nothing more to say. This really is not suggestive of any STD.  You might wish to have your doctor take a look to make sure you have not acquired a superficial skin infection (called a "superinfection" because it occurs on top of another infection).   You might be vulnerable to such an infection if you have been repeatedly exaimining yourself.  These sorts of infections are common and are not STDs.  EWH

[mikefromlondonuk]

Hello doctor,

My problem appears to be escalating. Last night prior to going to bed I noticed some reddening of the skin on my penis, just below the head in the area normally covered by foreskin (I am not circumcised). I prayed this was from general chaffing and hope to awake to see it had gone/reduced.

This morning the redding is the same, if not worse. It is very noticeable and covering quite a large area, roughly 2 x 3cm, prominent on one side under the head.

I am desperately trying to tell myself this is not an STD, and is related to the ringworm i've been diagnosed with, but i'm really starting to freak out.

It has not presented in the same way as the 2 ringworm marks I've had diagnosed by my doctor, this is a larger area with very red skin, the 2 ringworm marks are much smaller and nowhere near as red.

My head is spinning, could this possibly be the beginning of a herpes outbreak or a different STD? I'd say it's been roughly 12 hours since I first noticed this, no pain and the skin doesn't appear raised or broken, just really, really red. I've swamped the area with the cream I was given for ringworm but i'm a nervous wreck.

I really appreciate your advise,

M

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The presence of ringworm or rash of some other sort does not meaningfully change your risk for acquistion of infection.  EWH

[mikefromlondonuk]

Thank you for your prompt response.

I appreciate that for a normal healthy 'intact' human body, inanimate objects/touch present no risk of STD transmission, and had this ringworm not occurred/been present I would have no reason for worry.

However, are you certain that ringworm, or if it's been misdiagnosed, some different skin condition such as mine with minor broken skin doesn't present a risk? I appreciate some STD's such as HIV are very fragile and aren't able to survive long outside the body so the risk of these is extremely remote, if not impossible, but do more resistant STD's such as Hep B,C present a risk to me?

I fully accept your conclusion regarding syphilis chancres, thank you for putting my mind at rest completely in that respect.

M

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  There is no reason to worry about the exposures that you describe.  STDs are not passed to others either through touching or through contact with soiled sheets, blankets or other inanimate objects. Similarly there is no risk should any of a partners' (or anyone else's) genital secretions have come into contact with your skin rash.  STDs are not transmitted this way and there have never been cases of STD transmission described to occur this way.  

While the rash of syphilis can mimic many other processes, the activities you describe put you at no risk for syphilis, nor do the lesions you describe
sound like syphilis lesions.  

There is no reason for concern and no reason for testing.  Try to relax.  EWH