STD or ingrown hair? - Women's Health Message Board

Sarah15 · 05-27-2008, 05:54 AM

A year or two ago my doctor told me that I don't need to worry about the sores I had on my genitals, as they were merely the result of ingrown hairs due to shaving and hair removal creams around the area.

Recently I've become worried about it, and am too scared to go see the doctor again. About a year ago I had a one-time sexual relationship with a man I don't really know - something I never do! - and am now panicking that maybe he gave me something.

Is it normal to have symptoms like sores appear so long after the act?

The one area has a lession that sometimes has pus coming out, and two days ago I developed a sore almost like a boil, that has now got a blue/black area to the one side of it.

I've been really tired, but that's been going on since before I saw this man, and is a result of too much work and financial stress, I think.

Other than that, I seem quite normal healthwise - I don't eat much, but I never have eaten much, so that's not abnormal for me either.

Do I need to worry?

dustoffkid · 05-27-2008, 08:01 AM

I think that it is most likely ingrown hairs, as your doctor told you.

That being said, it really wouldn't be a bad idea to go and get it checked out, as this can finally put your mind at rest. If it actually were an STD of some sort, the only way that you would get the appropriate treatment is by getting an accurate diagnosis first.

Sarah15 · 05-27-2008, 02:27 PM

So you wouldn't say it's normal for symptoms like sores to manifest a full year later only?

I plan on going to see the doctor again as soon as possible, but right now cash just doesn't allow for that :-( I thought I'd come here to see what others thought, in the meantime...

I didn't mention that it's quite painful at times...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustoffkid

I think that it is most likely ingrown hairs, as your doctor told you.

That being said, it really wouldn't be a bad idea to go and get it checked out, as this can finally put your mind at rest. If it actually were an STD of some sort, the only way that you would get the appropriate treatment is by getting an accurate diagnosis first.

janewhite1 · 05-27-2008, 02:55 PM

Probably not an STD, no, but if it's turned into a boil, that could be a problem all to itself. Put a hot compress on it, drain it if you see pus, wash the area with soap and put an antiseptic or antibiotic on it, but if it isn't getting better, go to a doctor promptly. You don't want blood poisoning or something.

hermes370 · 05-27-2008, 04:19 PM

it's probably true what people are saying that it's unlikely to be lesions 2o/2 an STD ... that aside, it couldn't hurt to have an MD check it out ... but if the lesions are follicular centric(centered around a hair follicle) then it probably is a shaver's folliculitis +/- complicated by a faruncle(s) ... lesions don't sound like the painless chancroid of syphllis or painful lymph nodes of LGV, don't even sound like the ulcers of herpes simplex(HSV), but again need to see before can be certain ...

by the way, you mentioned hair removal creams before and just as an FYI, I would avoid using depilatory creams(if that's what they are) in the genital region, the skin quite sensitive there and your likely to create an irritant dermatitis on top of a shaver's folliculitis

best of luck