[Question #11363] Symptoms One Year Later

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15 months ago
Almost one year ago exactly,  I had developed a genital rash and was worried it was connected to past mutual masturbation experiences w/ men. My anxiety spiraled and I went to my local STI clinic, derm, and urologist. They were all quite insistent that it was only jock itch. The urologist, taking pity, tested me not because she thought I had anything but because the negative results would ease my fears. No one thought it resembled HSV or any other STI and my results were, of course, negative.

Your advice here about mutual masturbation really eased my worries despite the jock it being hard to get rid of. Now my wife is pregnant and my worries have returned. Her regular test, as I know you would say, came back negative for the routine STIs they check during pregnancy. But in the beginning of May my jock itch returned with a twist - a pimple/acne like bump on the skin that connects my testicles to my torso. Unerved I went to my GP to 1) see if it was still only jock itch and 2) see why I was having such a tough time getting rid of it (it would be gone a month and come back). He said jock itch can be tenacious especially if one is not diligent and when I asked if anything looked like an STI or HSV he said it looked "100% fungal." He put me on an oral antifungal for two weeks, gave me some good advice, and everything cleared up. During these last two weeks, I went commando to ensure things remained breathable.  Here is where my worry remains. I recently finished the medicine but have developed a similar pimple on the exact spot on the opposite side of my body. It doesn't hurt but is noticeable. Is this a sign that I might have had HSV or HPV all along? 

I KNOW I am letting my anxiety get the better of me but the timing of this pimple has thrown me for a loop.

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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
15 months ago
Welcome back, but honestly I don't understand what you hope to gain. Although I can't find your two earliest questions, owing to your varied usernames and accounts, the discussion with Dr. Hook six months ago was quite clear that you have no STD and never did; and were not at risk for STD based on the exposures described.

In that last discussion, Dr. Hook mentioned the book on my shelf title Genital Dermatology Atlas, filed with photos and brief descriptions. Only 15 of its 300 pages cover all STDs, and it is clear an STI is not a possible explanation of your problem. That's our only interest and expertise on this forum -- STIs (plus HIV); we sometimes deal with other conditions when STI is a possibility. But if not, we go no further. Accordingly I have nothing more to say about your genital skin problem. There is nothing at all in your description that suggests either HPV or herpes -- neither of which ever shows up as a single pimple. And people get pimples all the time anyway, and this one isn't even on the genitals! Skin creases or body folds, like where the testicles meet the torso, is a common location for pimples, fungal infections, ant the like. I really don't understand this particular one "has thrown [you] for a loop."

All I can do is suggest you keep working with your own doctors and do your best to move on without worry.

HHH, MD
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15 months ago
Thank you so much for your candor. I work with a therapist for anxiety and stress. I am sure you would be not shocked at all that my doctor was also pretty straight to the chase when I pressed him about an STI.

I will go on without worry. My last 2 questions before I you close this thread. How long should its presence be before I consider going back to the doctor.  And is it presumably safe to have sex with my wife?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
15 months ago
We do not provide direct medical care or advice, just general information. When you should recheck with your doctor is entirely up to you. As already discussed, there is no reason to suspect an STD; I'm sure it's safe to have sex with your wife.---