I have a rash

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It is located on the bottom side of my penis and has been itching and uncomfortable anytime i am sitting or laying down, ive never had an itch last this long.

I just started having protected sex with a girl about three weeks ago, she claims to not have an STD. My gf before that had HPV and i found out after we started having sex :/ but we never had unprotected sex.

the itch has been going on for about a week, week and a half, and is predominately on the left side of my scrotum and the underside of my penis.

The skin that has been itching is very red now and i just discovered a small sore on my scrotum. On the rim of my penis there has also been a small raw sore forming. it has not gotten bigger and feels rather the same.

I don't have insurance or a doctor and am wondering if a walk in physician clinic would work..

I should also mention that I had what i believe was a cold sore that just started going away, she went down on my once but i was not broken out when she did..

Just hoping I can get some advice, thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The presence of two possible genital ulcers is the main thing that led me to not completely shut out herpes as a possibility, since herpes is the most common cause of open genital sores.  But perhaps they are just superficial erosions to to a fungal infection, or perhaps to vigorous scatching.  Still I don't think it's herpes, but that possibility is the main reason you should see a health care provider promptly -- for accurate diagnosis, the sooner the better.

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Yes, that was very informative thank you very much. I'll look into the STD clinic. Just one more question, what do you think is going on with the small sore on my scrotum, it looks the same as the one on the rim of my head

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You don't provide any description of the rash itself, but if the irritated area doesn't have multiple blisters or sores, it probably isn't herpes.  On the other hand, the scrotal sore and "small raw sore" of the penis could be herpetic.  Aside from herpes, no STD causes penile rash.

My bet is less on herpes and more on something like a fungal/yeast infection, which you could have caught from your partner, since many women normally carry yeasts in their vaginas.  It also could be some other dermatitis, perhaps allergy or chemical irritation from a spermicide or vaginal hygiene product, or perhaps from the condom in the form of latex allergy.  Whatever you have, it isn't related to your cold sore; if you do have herpes, it's because you caught it from a genital infection carried by your partner, i.e. HSV-2.

But all this is speculation.  As you already realize, you should be professionally evaluated.  Even though it's probably not herpes and certainly no other STD, your local health department STD clinic would be a good option for confidential, expert care by people who are likely to recognize most of the conditions I mentioned.  A walk-in clinic might be OK, but you would be less likely to find a provider there who is expert in recognizing herpes or other STDs.  In any case, see someone within the next day or two; the longer you wait, the harder it will be to get an accurate diagnosis.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD