An expert answers your questions. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. You shave, hoping for smooth, soft skin. The next thing you know, little red bumps appear!
Related Articles. They are small and raised and usually have a characteristic pit in the center. They may become itchy or painful, but they are smooth and firm and do not look like an ulcer.
When the hair is not properly shaved on fragile skin, it can curl inside it, forming a bump, and can progress to pseudofolliculitis or even folliculitis. The skin in the genital area is particularly fragile, and ingrown hair can easily occur there as a result of a nonoptimal shaving technique.
The bump of ingrown hair is usually small and firm, but it can look like a blister, which makes it look like a herpes lesion. It can also be painful, but its pain does not resemble the distinctive burning pain of herpes. It also does not ulcerate, and if it pops open it usually heals very quickly, unlike herpes. When there is recurrence of ingrown hair, inflammation can occur in that area and present as redness of the surface of the skin and a chronic recurrence of itchy buttons.
The condition is commonly seen in the beard area, especially on the neck and under the chin where the skin is more fragile, but it can also be seen in the pubis and other areas. Estimated probabilities of HPV transmission from the penis to the anus were significantly higher than were those from the anus to the penis. The skin lesions of pseudofolliculitis are, like ingrown hair and contrary to herpes, unlikely to ulcerate.
They follow the pattern of hair growth, and they have particularly more pruritis or pain a day or two after shaving. Image 7. Ingrown hair left and pseudofolliculitis right. Source : NHS. A hair follicle can become infected and form an inflamed button, most commonly because of a superficial bacterial or fungal infection or the progression of ingrown hair toward the infection.
Folliculitis appears as a pimple, usually with a hair topping it and reddish surroundings. A white coloration—a sign of pus—can sometimes be seen under the skin of the button. If the folliculitis is due to ingrown hair, the ingrown hair can also sometimes be seen under the button. The pimple of folliculitis does not ulcerate and heals quickly when it opens.
The condition is benign and usually self-limiting. Image 8. Jock itch, or tinea cruris, is a common dermatologic condition, especially in men. It is caused by a fungus and classically results in a well-delimited red patch of skin formed by a pattern of rings. The patch usually forms in the groin and skin folds in the genital area but can spread to other parts of the body. The infection might cause itching and even a burning sensation but does not cause the distinctive ulceration of genital herpes.
Image 9. Jock itch on the inner thigh of a man Eczema, or dermatitis, refers to a group of skin diseases that cause skin inflammation. They have an allergic and environmental causal mechanism and are not contagious. The genital area can be particularly prone to eczema since its skin and fragile and easily irritated and because of moisture and friction from clothing. Various types of eczema could affect the genital area, and each has its own characteristics.
However, all types of eczema cause skin redness and itching. The skin lesion is poorly defined, and itching is usually the predominant symptom. Swelling is also a common feature of eczema. Bumps that can scar are frequent, blisters are rarer, and ulceration similar to that of herpes is almost exceptional unless the lesions have been extensively scratched. One type of eczema looks especially like herpes but has nothing to do with the herpes virus.
It is called dermatitis herpetiformis. It is characterized by blisters filled with a clear fluid and is intensely itchy. It is related to celiac disease and gluten intolerance and its skin lesions can appear in multiple places on the body.
Now that you have a broad idea of how to differentiate a genital herpes ulcer from other commonly encountered conditions, you should consult your doctor when you suspect genital herpes for the first time. The first episode of herpes can have more noticeable symptoms than recurrences later will and it will be less difficult to ensure that the prognosis is benign and rule out more harmful conditions.
Herpes is still a condition often associated with anxiety, fear, and shame. Your healthcare provider can talk to you about your feelings in that regard and give you support and guidance.
With any genital condition, it is important to have the correct diagnosis made by your doctor, who will use laboratory tests for confirmation to establish a proper management plan. Genital herpes. The Lancet. Mindel A, Marks C. Psychological symptoms associated with genital herpes virus infections: epidemiology and approaches to management.
CNS Drugs. Fortenberry JD. The effects of stigma on genital herpes care-seeking behaviours. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Published October 22, Accessed November 1, Herpes simplex viruses. Immunol Baltim Md Transmission of genital herpes in couples with one symptomatic and one asymptomatic partner: a prospective study. A blocked hair follicle may develop into an infection. The infection can cause additional irritation and soreness.
Unlike genital herpes, ingrown hairs typically develop as isolated lesions or bumps. You may have more than one ingrown hair at once. This is more likely after you shave or wax the hair around your vagina or penis. If you inspect an ingrown hair closely, you may see a shadow or thin line in the center of the sore. Ingrown hairs will typically go away on their own, and the sore will clear up once the hair is removed or breaks through the skin.
An ingrown hair will likely disappear on its own within several days or a week. Gently wash the area during your showers to help remove dead skin cells, and the hair may be able to push through the skin.
This will make the accompanying symptoms disappear, too. Resist the temptation to squeeze the pustule. You may make the infection worse or cause scarring. Likewise, genital warts may disappear on their own in a few days or weeks.
Some people experience frequent herpes outbreaks and others may only have a few every year. Sometimes, these common bumps can be difficult to distinguish, even by trained medical professionals. They may use one or more medical tests to make a diagnosis. A blood test can determine if you have HSV. Your doctor may do a full STI-screening test to rule out other possible causes. If these results come back negative, your doctor may look for other possible explanations.
These include an ingrown hair, blocked oil glands , and cysts. Herpes is a very common virus , with the HSV-1 variant of the herpes virus affecting more than 50 percent of the global population under the age of 50, and the less common HSV-2 variant affecting around 11 percent of people ages 15 to forty-nine.
Modern, safe and affordable medications such as valacyclovir can reduce the severity of oral and genital herpes outbreaks and speed up healing time, all while lowering your risk of spreading the virus to other people. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice.
Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Insider tips, early access and more. What We Treat. Sexual health. Mental Health. Top treatments. Sex Skin. Herpes or Ingrown Hair? How to Tell The Difference. Well, luckily, telling the difference is pretty simple if you know what to look for.
How Ingrown Hairs Develop Ingrown hairs develop when hair grows crooked or curls inside the skin before breaching the top-most layer of our skin the epidermis. Shop Herpes Treatment.
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