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Suggest Treatment For Herpes On Scrotum
Question: I have what looks like herpes on my scrotum. It is a small cluster of 4-5 with individual borders and what appear to be scabs in the middle. They are flesh colored. They are not painful or itchy and appeared a few days ago. I saw the doctor yesterday and at first glance, she said they looked herpetic. She described the shapes as macules. Upon further inspection and after prodding them, she was "pretty sure" it wasn't herpes and prescribed lotrimin. She didn't take a culture swab. I'd like a second opinion
Brief Answer:
Get tested. Thats the surest way to put this to rest.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM. Please note that the shapes and presenteation of herpes especially on different skin surfaces can vary, you are better off gettinh tested for HSV1 &2, this is a relatively cheap and inexpensive test. I hope this helps, and without pics to looks at, it is very hard to disapprove or approve the diagnosis. Good luck
Get tested. Thats the surest way to put this to rest.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome to HCM. Please note that the shapes and presenteation of herpes especially on different skin surfaces can vary, you are better off gettinh tested for HSV1 &2, this is a relatively cheap and inexpensive test. I hope this helps, and without pics to looks at, it is very hard to disapprove or approve the diagnosis. Good luck
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for the quick response! I'm going to a separate clinic tomorrow. Is a culture swab sufficient? I read that bloodwork for HSV2 often returns false negatives and false positives.
Also, I attached two pictures. The first is from 2 days ago. The second is from tonight.
Also, I attached two pictures. The first is from 2 days ago. The second is from tonight.
Brief Answer:
That is herpes until blood work says otherwise. Blood work for HSV test.
Detailed Answer:
I would like to be wrong, but if this was fungal and stuff, it would be more widespread, the false negatives/positives from blood work are rare, and it will say how much of the virus is detected. The culture swab can be erroneous as technique of sampling plays a big role there. I would get the test and if it is negative then rest easy, otherwise you will always be wondering in the back of your mind you know? Thanks
That is herpes until blood work says otherwise. Blood work for HSV test.
Detailed Answer:
I would like to be wrong, but if this was fungal and stuff, it would be more widespread, the false negatives/positives from blood work are rare, and it will say how much of the virus is detected. The culture swab can be erroneous as technique of sampling plays a big role there. I would get the test and if it is negative then rest easy, otherwise you will always be wondering in the back of your mind you know? Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Why would the doctor sound so certain it wasn't herpes? She works at an STD clinic and has seen 100s of cases. Is there anything this could be confused with? Like tinea cruris, staphylocus, genital warts, yeast infections, razor burn infections, etc? I shaved last week if that makes a difference. It's an odd coincidence.
Lastly, can you have a recurrent outbreak without an initial outbreak? This is the first I've had any symptoms like this and I haven't been sexually active in the past month.
Lastly, can you have a recurrent outbreak without an initial outbreak? This is the first I've had any symptoms like this and I haven't been sexually active in the past month.
Brief Answer:
Yes this cold be any of the above, what strikes me is that it is..
Detailed Answer:
1. She might have seen or known something else I don't. But boy one better convince me otherwise, from the looksof that wound, I would like a blood test to disprove you and I. Also of note, it is on one side, now if it is on opposite sides of your midline, then it is highly unlikely it is herpes.
2. It could be very well be ingrown hair follicle that is causing you grief, however it would think that is also spread throughout your testicle, at least another area. Yeast infections will have reddening or the skin, more confluent before there is actual puncturing of the skin, and again that should be both sides and inside the crevices.
3. Yes you can have a recurrent outbreak without ever having an initial outbreak, at least that you may remember. Keep in mind that the severity of herpes is dependent on ones immune system, that's why when one is ill, then they get an outbreak again.
4. There are people who were infected years ago and just suddenly have the outbreak of the herpes virus.
5. So with all these facts floating out there, you can see how it is very hard to prove or disprove this without a blood test.
6. Honestly your best second opinion is to get tested and put this to rest, that is exactly what I would do.
Yes this cold be any of the above, what strikes me is that it is..
Detailed Answer:
1. She might have seen or known something else I don't. But boy one better convince me otherwise, from the looksof that wound, I would like a blood test to disprove you and I. Also of note, it is on one side, now if it is on opposite sides of your midline, then it is highly unlikely it is herpes.
2. It could be very well be ingrown hair follicle that is causing you grief, however it would think that is also spread throughout your testicle, at least another area. Yeast infections will have reddening or the skin, more confluent before there is actual puncturing of the skin, and again that should be both sides and inside the crevices.
3. Yes you can have a recurrent outbreak without ever having an initial outbreak, at least that you may remember. Keep in mind that the severity of herpes is dependent on ones immune system, that's why when one is ill, then they get an outbreak again.
4. There are people who were infected years ago and just suddenly have the outbreak of the herpes virus.
5. So with all these facts floating out there, you can see how it is very hard to prove or disprove this without a blood test.
6. Honestly your best second opinion is to get tested and put this to rest, that is exactly what I would do.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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