could this be herpes? or what?

[pleasehelp2]

Hi, It seems like it started ever since an unprotected exposure (I am male, and straight) I have had an uncomfortable irritated anus, it feels 'raw' sometimes a bit painful, and tends to be very itchy at times. This has been pretty much constant for 5-ish months. Some days its not so bad, some it is quite bothersome. Along with this I have had discomfort in the area where my testicles meet my thigh or kinda underneath them, like the fold of the skin, usually just the left side. It can either feel 'crawly' or itchy, or like I just need to 'adjust' constantly. The buttocks is the major issue here though. I have seen doctors, they have told me its in my head everything looks normal, which is hard to accept with this nagging real problem. I have had no sores, besides once a single zit-like bump I chalked up to be an ingrown hair (in that upper left region of my testicle..which coincidentally is where some itching and discomfort can happen). That one bump came and left within a day or two. Otherwise I have had itchy plain red bumps on my arms or wrist that I blamed on insect bites, they never burst or have a 'head', and stopped itching after a few days or a week and faded away a bit but are still there weeks later less red and barely itchy to the touch. My symptoms with my anus (mainly) and testicles have me quite distressed, I just want relief. Ive been tested for all STDs besides herpes as they didnt offer type specific, and negative. I feel like I have a yeast infection like candida (from what Ive read) going on. But this is relentless, for nearly 5 months! I took antibiotics needlessly once and thought it perhaps couldve caused this. I am seeing a dermatologist in 3 wks but need insight between now and then. I cant stand this much longer, please help!! Do you think this could be herpes? with no sores in 5 months and mainly an irritated butthole (with no anal contact ever). I need some direction. Thanks!! p.s. I am 21 and generally healthy individual.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

A herpes outbreak can last from a few days to a few weeks.  It varies quite a bit from person to person and even outbreak to outbreak.

Terri

[pleasehelp2]

I agree, that is what I should do, but due to my busy school schedule, I have little opportunity. Plus it is embarassing, the only places I can think of going I have already been too a few times for this problem (not a zit, but the other symptoms). I am seriously considering ordering the blood test online, just need to look into this labs location and funds. What if the zit down there persists for 3 days or so? How long would a herpe sore normally take to come and go? Thanks again.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If it disappears within one day, it is unlikely to be herpes.  Same situation as before.  If you are really concerned about this, I would advise that you try to find an urgent care clinic where you might go and have this evaluated.  What do you think?
Terri

[pleasehelp2]

Hi Terri,

Thank you so much for your help that really set my mind at ease..for awhile, until today I have a zit on my penis shaft, slight itchy and painful to the touch. Looks identical to a 'zit' with a white-ish head. This is the second one now since that exposure, and I dont recall experiencing zits down there before. Again its a single zit. I want to go get a swab test on it but cant get in anywhere today, and fear it will dissapear or recede by the time I can get in, like last time. What do you think?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Herpes is not a disease with constant symptoms such as those that you describe - the symptoms are intermittent, they come and go.  

Some things that come to mind are fungal infection (yeast is one of those), since you are also describing symptoms around the testes.  There are effective over the counter antifungal medicines - have you tried any of those while you wait for your appointment with the dermatologist?  You might try that.  Fungal infections can take weeks to go away, even with effective medicines.  You may also have a fissure or hemorrhoids, though I would have suspected that those would have been identified prior to this by your regular provider.  

At some point, you may wish to order your own herpes antibody testing through an online service if this continues to worry you.  IgG test is the one you want.

Terri