Well...I got back from the dermatologist today. He looked me over (I only had three small little "pimples" on my inner theigh) and said "it's folliculitis". Prior to my appointment he suggessted I use a topical antibiotic that I had for minor acne breakouts (Cleocin T), which seems to have quelled anything I had going on.

That said, I thought that the anti-fungal/steriod combo was working as well when I first started it. Perhaps whatever I had has basically run it's course. I certainly am feeling more comfortable.

I am feeling almost 100% normal and my dermatologist is telling me that he's "not the least bit concerned about herpes". I asked him to take a culture of it and he said that it is a bacteria filled small pimple and there is no sense in taking a culture since there's nothing to find. I also said "can't herpes be any irritation in the boxer shorts region" to which he responded by saying "anything is possible but what I'm seeing in your case looks nothing like herpes at all." When I asked him about the burning sensation he just shrugged and said "it could have been from being in and out of the ocean, from being in a hot humid enviornment or any number of factors." He went on to say that if he had a list of things of which he was concerned of it being "herpes is at or near the bottom". Needless to say he seemed VERY convinced it wasn't herpes. I tried my best to convince him otherwise but he wouldn't budge.

So, after playing devil's advocate with my dermatologist, I think I'm going to have to let this go for the time being. Now the delimma comes that I thought would be coming. My girlfriend and I will have to make an intimacy decision. I think that I'm going to recommend that we wait till I get my next blood test in a couple of weeks. If things are still cleared up and I've got no new "lesions" then I'm going to put the ball in her court. Of course I'll be candid about herpes and the potential risks involved(I'll even tell her to go visit herpes.org for further information). However, after all of the checking I've had done by two doctors I am coming to the conclusion that I probably do not have herpes (although theoretically it is possible). After my next blood test, if my gf's ready to be intimate then so am I since I feel like I've thoroughly had things checked out.

yeah good idea. make sure you wait that amount of time to get checked again. and if you want to get the 'gold standered test' to really make sure, ask for the western blot test. its kind of pricy, but it seems like you want to have that piece of mind. good luck and let us know how it goes...

Take care

Hey TS,

Sounds encouraging! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif However, I also appreciate your caution about taking your doc's word for it too, since his perception about the variety of how the symptoms can appear doesn't seem to match the verbal descriptions that are around. It can be hard to match up verbal descriptions with in-person, visual experience the he might have had. However I think both your caution and your hopefulness are well taken.

I have a question -- why haven't you already directed your gf to check out sites like herpes.org?? I would think she'd want to know more about an STD you might have, esp. when it has affected your relationship in such a dramatic way. Are you trying to protect her for some reason? Seems to me from what you've said that she is already worried and has the right to know everything you know about it. It occurs to me that it would be important for her to be as empowered in this situation as possible, which includes having complete information about possibilities, not just actualities. Anyway, 2 more cents worth from me. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

1in4