Can anyone help? Maybe herpies...

[Hopeful]

Ok... This is a bit hard to talk about. The last time I had sex was last winter (January/February) with my ex and I used a condom. And aside from her I've only had one other partner of any type of sexual contact, and that was nearly two years ago. I'm the shy quiet type...
About two months ago I noticed small bumps around my penis. Around the edge of the head and where the head and shaft meet. They weren't puss-filled and never broke and yes I shower daily and wash down there paying really special attention now to make sure i rinse the soap off hoping that was just the case, and changed my soap. But the bumps haven't gone away. No I don't masturbate in shower... tried in the past and found it difficult to say the least.
Today I was showering and at the base of my penis it was painful...like a zit. 3-4 ingrown hairs (I hope); i don't shave down there though...
Pulled the hairs and let out puss, then used cotton swabs and alcohol clean "zits."
I have looked up stuff on herpies and most of the pics don't resemble my...problem. Then again everyone is different. I don't normally itch down there and since i popped the "zits" it's not painful or tingly or like any of the symptoms I've read. I'll know if the "outbreak" at the base of my penis is herpies if it takes more then a few days to heal I guess...right?
If it isn't herpies whats the deal with the small bumps by the head? Ha anyone had something similar? I can post pics if need be I guess. I may be being neurotic I know but some input before i pay to get tests done would be helpful.

 

[SweetErika]

Do they look and sound like pearly penile papules?

Regardless, it sounds like you need to get this checked out for your own peace of mind, rather than get an internet diagnosis. Do some research and make some calls to find FREE or low-cost STD testing in your area. There are many resources for such testing, from private clinics to Planned Parenthood to student health (if you're a college student) to county health departments. It shouldn't take long to find testing you can easily afford.

 

[Hopeful]

No, nothing like "pearly penile papules." And not in nearly covered as in the pictures. If I EVER saw something like that I'd rush to the doctor. They are random spots here and there around the 'helmet' and just below the base of the head. Closer maybe to this http://www.penispimples.co.uk/penispimplessymptoms.html

 

[SweetErika]

No, nothing like "pearly penile papules." And not in nearly covered as in the pictures. If I EVER saw something like that I'd rush to the doctor. They are random spots here and there around the 'helmet' and just below the base of the head. Closer maybe to this http://www.penispimples.co.uk/penispimplessymptoms.html

The pearly papules are harmless.

If they don't start to go away in, say, two weeks, I still think you should get these "pimples" checked out. It's too hard to distinguish HPV (genital warts) from harmless conditions online. Take some pics of them now, then from the same angle in two weeks to see if some of them have disappeared/started to heal, or the condition has gotten worse.

Don't have sex (or touch anyone w/ your cock) until you know what the deal is. Wash your hands well before and after touching yourself, just in case they are contagious.

 

[HornyTeenBoy]

Maybe you have Fordyce's spots? They're also harmless, and apparently a lot more common than you'd think.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordyce's_spot

I have 'em too. At least, that's what I suspect they are. It's on my list of things to "make sure about" at my next check-up. But since I'm not sexually active, I can be fairly sure it's not an STD anyway. ^^;;

 

[wordofvirtue]

I would guess that the lesions along the head of your penis are in no way related to the lesion at the base of your penis. To me it sounds as if you are describing a folliculitis at the base of your penis -- a hair follicle that has become inflamed/infected much like a pimple or zit. Just because you don't shave your pubic hair doesn't mean that your hair follicles cannot become inflamed, especially during the hot summer months. It may very well resolve itself just from the actions you've already taken. If not and it gets larger or more painful it could be a boil or may need to be lanced by a doctor and/or treated with an antibiotic. Those things happen and they are not any form of an STD. The bottom line with any medical question is, if in doubt, go to the doctor.

Herpes appears as clusters of small watery blisters that erupt and become an open sore that crusts over and heals within a week or two. It is usually very painful and/or intensely itchy. Sometimes the itching/burning is the first symptom followed by the skin lesions a day or two later. Some people have many outbreaks, some people have few, and some have only ONE (but are still infected and can pass the virus to others).

 

[Hopeful]

I went to the doctor to get checked out. Felt like a hypochondriac and it's always fun having an Indian doctor poke around down there. He told me (from what I could understand through his accent) that the bumps around the head are a form of dermatitis. Changes in diet and soaps (washing detergent for cloths) should help clear it up.
He took cultures from the "zit" which hasn't healed or scabbed over as any normal zit/ingrown hair would even after swabbing with alcohol and such.
I was more concerned about the zit since it's been almost a week.... I nearly always wore condoms (except when trying to conceive) but the "zits are on the underside base of the shaft just where the condom ends. I'll find out in a couple of weeks I guess.

 

[SweetErika]

He took cultures from the "zit" which hasn't healed or scabbed over as any normal zit/ingrown hair would even after swabbing with alcohol and such.

I don't think you should put alcohol on it unless your doctor told you to do so. Alcohol can increase healing time.

I was more concerned about the zit since it's been almost a week.... I nearly always wore condoms (except when trying to conceive) but the "zits are on the underside base of the shaft just where the condom ends. I'll find out in a couple of weeks I guess.

Zits can take a long time to heal, especially when there's poor air circulation.

Either way, hopefully you've learned that it only takes one exposure and condoms don't always protect you from STDs, and will use that info to protect yourself as much as you can in the future. Female condoms may provide additional protection from HSV and HPV since they cover more of the vulva (although they're not as effective in other ways), and of course it's always wise to use a barrier when giving and receiving oral sex, but your best bet is to employ these measures AFTER both you and your partner have been tested (if/when you have new partners).

Here's to hoping your test comes back clean.