Swollen Lymphnodes and Pimples? HELPPPP

[Uptowngirl95]

Hello! I am a seventeen year old virgin female. But I have been fingered... Is it possible to contract an STD or HIV through this? In addition, for the past year and a half, I have been having swollen lymph does under both my arms and groin area. Sometimes they get really big and burst. And I have this horrible pimple breakout on my buttocks. Lately, I've been having hard lumps under my waist on my pubic area. I've shaved a few times before. I don't have any pimples on my face... Could these stuff all be because of that? Or maybe hormones? Or do I have something? Someone, anyone, please help???

[Evenlc]

A little late to the game, but what you are describing sounds somewhat like a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. It is not dangerous but can be fairly severe to the point of requiring surgery in some people to manage the symptoms. You should see a doctor. Best, elc

[Anonymouse88]

If your pimples are that bad, you should treat them with something!  I think it's Clean and Clear (I use the CVS knockoff) that makes a couple of 2% salicylic acid body washes/scrubs (it comes in grapefruit or a generic soap smell).  You could also use an anti acne facewash there while in the shower.  Oxy pads or something similar might help as well, maybe one of those a day and a shower with anti-acne wash, and then some non-comedogenic moisturizer to prevent drying everything out.  Lots of bursting pimples is probably enough to cause the lymph nodes in your groin/waist region.  If you're still getting painful lymph nodes in your armpits and you aren't shaving those, you should have your doctor take a look the next time you see them, or sooner if they're really painful.

While technically possible, the chances of you getting a semen-borne STD from fingering (even if he did have a little precum on his fingers) is virtually non-existent.  You bleeding does increase the risk of catching something, but in this case I would be more worried about a bacterial infection from dirty fingers than an STD from an asymptomatic person fingering you.  Herpes or HPV would be possible, but an initial herpes infection will usually show up within 2 weeks, and there's not really a reliable test if you aren't having an outbreak.  For HPV, make sure to get PAP smears (I think the recommendation is now starting at 21, and then every 3 years if things are normal).  If you haven't, you should consider getting the HPV vaccine, because it protects against the strains that can cause cervical cancer, and once enough people get vaccinated against something, it stops spreading very much.  If you're ever worried about STD or pregnancy stuff, go to a teen clinic.  They can answer your questions, test you if you need it, and some give out free birth control.  There are many with a sliding scale fee that don't require you to bring a parent if you can't tell your parents.  

[Uptowngirl95]

Thank you so much for your detailed response. I guess so about the lymphnodes... but they really occur very often. And for the pimples on my buttocks, it's really very often and they get very huge and burst. In addition, I've stopped shaving for more than two months already. And for the STD bit, what if he was stroking himself? In addition, he broke my hymen so it was really bloody... would that contribute to the spread?
Thanks!

[Anonymouse88]

If you have a bunch of pimples, it's normal for the lymph nodes in the area to swell.  It means they're doing their job in helping to fight infection.  It's just like when you get a cold or strep and the ones in your throat swell.  If you have pimples on your butt, the lymph nodes near your butt will swell.  Shaving your armpits can cause swollen and somewhat tender armpit lymph nodes.  I get these too.  You could try not shaving for a month or two and see if it helps.  As long as you don't wear tank tops, no one will even notice unless they're seeing you naked, and anyone who's worth it won't care if your armpits are a little hairy.  Always use a clean razor if you shave your privates, although I never bother with that area, because women are meant to have at least some adult hair, and there's no way I'm getting a razor that close to my most delicate bits.

If things are bursting, those most likely aren't lymph nodes.  My best guess is cysts, which can burst and then slowly refill over time.  Google them to see if the description fits, and if in doubt, ask you doctor.  If you get a fever or the lymph nodes are really painful, definitely go see the doctor.  

You can use anti-pimple cream on your butt, by the way.  Just make sure you aren't about to bleach your pants, since some products (like those with benzoyl peroxide) will bleach your clothing.  Keep the area clean, and you can even take a little antibacterial soap to the pimples.  Make sure to keep them moisturized enough that they don't get irritated, and don't use any body lotion that's not marked non-comedogenic.

You aren't going to get HIV by being fingered, unless maybe an HIV positive person slit their fingers open right beforehand and bled all over you, or drenched their hands in contaminated semen.  You are not likely to get anything by being fingered, although latex or nitrile gloves are a good idea anyway to protect you from nails and any dirt on your partner's hands.  With a little lube, they also slide a lot better.  You sound like you should do some more comprehensive reading on STDs (and probably pregnancy) to get a better idea of relative risk of different activities.