Folliculitis or Herpes?

[worry_wart83]

About six months ago I slept naked with man. There was no sexual intercourse but definite skin to skin contact. Exactly one week after I started to get a strange tingling feeling on my right buttocks cheek. This tingling then spread to the inside of my groin and down the back of my leg. A day or two after I felt a stinging sensation in the same area and when I looked in the mirror there were a few red pimple like dots with a whitehead, on different spots on my buttocks cheeks. I have been to 2 different doctors about this as I was concerned it was herpes. The 1st doctor had a look and straight away it cant be herpes but we did a type specific blood test to check. The test came back positive for HSV type 1 IgG (which I do get coldsore very rarely) and negative for HSV type 2 IgG and IgM which she explained to me that, that means my body hasnt produce antibodies for type 2 and that my blood wasnt showing that I was having a HSV type 2 breakout at the time it was taken. Ok so that means I dont have HSV 2. But is it still possible that I could be having a type 1 outbreak on my buttocks even though I know I already have had the virus in the form of coldsores for years....? The blood test doesnt really help as I knew I already was positive for type 1, but that doesnt mean that the symptons im experiencing on my buttocks isnt type 1 does it?
Both doctors said they couldnt do a swap cos the pimple like spots werent open sores. The 2nd doctor was positive that it was folliculitis from just looking at it and told me to wash in pHisohex which contains 1% w/v Triclosan(10mg/mL) and I have been using it twice a day now for almost a month and it hasnt made any difference. The reason why Im so worried about this being herpes is because of the symptons I get before these 'pimples' appear. They include stinging, tingling and burning on the right buttocks. Then the pimples usually appear not long after that. The only thing that doesnt seem to be common for herpes is that the pimples dont ever seem to go away...there is always ay least some irritation there. But the tingling, stinging and burning comes and goes, usually more intense around my period. I hope someone can help me with some answers.....thankyou

[worry_wart83]

Can anyone help me? Any answers?

[worry_wart83]

Does anyone know much info on folliculitis? Ive been reading through the posts and my symptons seem a little different.....My red dots are more like really red pimples with a whitehead and they sting alot. They can appear anywhere on my buttocks some close together some not. I hope someone can help me please......?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be sweat dermatitis, folliculitis, allergic reaction. In most individuals there are outbreaks of folliculitis from time to time.

Folliculitis is infection and inflammation of the hair follicles. The condition may be superficial (i.e., on the surface of the skin) or deep within the follicles.The most common cause of folliculitis is infection by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.

Folliculitis symptoms can appear independent of infection. Exposure of the skin to certain chemicals, especially oils and tars, can trigger an outbreak. People with depressed immune systems, diabetes, or obesity have a greater risk of contracting folliculitis than the general population.

Patients with chronic unresponsive folliculitis may require investigation into the source of the infection. S. aureus bacteria can live in the patient's nostrils, periodically triggering a folliculitis outbreak.

Individuals who are predisposed to folliculitis should be extremely careful about personal hygiene. Application of antiseptic washes may help prevent recurrences. A topical antibiotic cream, mupirocin (Bactroban®), has been effective at reducing bacterial colonization in the nostrils. It is applied twice daily for a week and is repeated every 6 months.

If there any of the mentioned medical causes then treating those will reduce the occurence of the condition.
http://www.dermatologychannel.net/follicle/folliculitis.shtml

Some stubborn cases of folliculitis have been responsive to laser-assisted hair removal. This process uses a laser to destroy the follicle. This reduces the scarring that results from folliculitis.

Let us know if you need any other information and consult a skin specialist if the lesion is persistent.

Regards.

[worry_wart83]

Can folliculitis cause the tingling and throbbing pain i was experiencing in the same reigon??

[worry_wart83]

Im still getin alot of stinging and muscle pain around my buttocks, down back of leg and in my hip joint. Can anyone please tell me if this is symtons of Folliculitis?? Its driving me mad!!!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Are you on any medications currently? Have you consulted a doctor for your symptoms.

Folliculitis can cause pain, itching and tingling too. a clinical examination is essential for a confirmed diagnosis.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.

[worry_wart83]

Thankyou for your reply. Yes I have seen 2 doctors and one said it was folliculitis and the other wasnt sure. But both were certain it wasnt herpes. They didnt take any swabs though cos they said there wasnt an 'Open Sore' to take one from.....the red dots i get only look like pimples, its the symptons I can feel that bother me. They are quite uncomfortable and feel worse than they look! Its really stressing me. The only med the doctor suggested is that wash i mentioned in my 1st post which isnt working... if you have any other info id greatly appreciate it
Thankyou for all your help = )

[jogger2008]

Do you think it could be shingles?

http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1031002332.html

[worry_wart83]

Thankyou for your interest. Im not too sure if it could be that.....I finally had some swaps taken and nothing came up, no bacteria or HSV detected. Its driving me crazy. The doctors still think its folliculitis but they say its not 'severe' enough to medicate me for! I dont know what Im suppose to do. Its constantly there and with the weather getting warmer its gettin more and more irritated! Am I suppose to just go on having to put up with it or is there anything out there that will help get rid of whatever it is.....?

[RNChick]

I agree, it sounds alot lot Shingles to me. Especially with the pain, tingling, and burning that is consistent with Shingles. IF it were Shingles, which is a herpetic virus, it can take a significant time to resolve in some indivuals. I couldn't be sure without seeing it, but you desribe a "pimple-like" lesion. Shingles are characteristically blister -like and form groups/clumps. Basically, you treat the symptoms, and are often prescribed Acyclovir or something similar.

[Basics]

You need Valtrex twice a day for a week.  It sounds very much like shingles which is a form of herpes but not the type you can give to someone.  It comes from stress in most cases.  Good luck!

[slacker101]

If it is Shingles, only one side of your body would be affected..

[worry_wart83]

Ok so its been over a year now and Im still having symptoms. No doctor seems to be able to help me! Im still experiencing the pain, tingling, stinging and burning mainly on my right buttock cheek, in and around my right groin and down the back of my right leg. After this little red pimples appear on both buttocks cheeks. These symptoms come and go but are always kind of there. I experience the sensations more than the visible symptoms appear. Different things seem to tigger the symptoms like sweating but they also appear without any tiggers. I only have to sit for 30min to an hour before I start feeling the pain tingling stinging and burning. Is anyone absolutely sure this isnt Herpes. Ive had a Herpes select blood test and was positive for HSV1 but ive been positive for this for years and occassionly get coldsores. Is it possible to have HSV1 gentially and orally. Does folliculitus act like this?

[jagesh50]

My opinion is that you have a cholinergic urticara with zosteriform distribution.

[worry_wart83]

Can u please explain what this means?

[jagesh50]

Yes indeed.Cholinergic urticaria is a condition in which sweat precipitates a rash,itch -and pain though rarely.Normally it is a generalized condition,but very rarely it can be dermatomal by which it means along nerve roots.My earlier communication must have read dermatomal and not zosteriform,i stand corrected.

[worry_wart83]

Thanku for your quick response. It kind of makes sense but I dont always just get symptoms after sweating they can come up at anytime. I dont always form pimples but have the tingling burning etc ALOT! What is Zosteriform and what does it mean? Do I have herpes??

[jagesh50]

Sorry that word popped up up,and I stood corrected.By the way herpes is one of the conditions and not THE condition with such distribution.Any way you have no herpes for sure.

[jagesh50]

This is a condition of allergy where cholinergic nerves produce a substance that causes all your symptoms,mostly but not always sweat based.Atarax tab may help 1 at bedtime.

[worry_wart83]

Thankyou again! So I dont have herpes? and I dont have Zosteriform distruibution? Is that correct?
How do I get my doctor to confirm this condition and treat it for me?
Do you have a link where there is info on this condition?

[jagesh50]

Absolutely.I will surely give you some sites.Right now off to office.Adois.

[worry_wart83]

Oh thankyou so much!
Im still not clear on whether I have zosteriform distribution? Can u please clarify....

[jagesh50]

Zosteriform means a nerve root generally on one side only,along the supply route.

[worry_wart83]

So u are comfirming I have cholinergic urticaria zosteriform distribution?
How do I get my doctor to confirm this? and treat me for it?