red bump

[johndoe344]

There is a small red bump at the very base of my penis, it does not itch, burn, tingle, or otherwise give away its presence. It is located just below the pubic hair, and a hair sort of sprouts from the bump. The hair was there before the bump. i had intercourse with a woman, but i did wear a condom, however the condom does not go that low (or high) on the shaft so it was unprotected i suppose. The area around the bump was really chaffed the next day or two(the girl grinded on that section of myself pretty hard and we did not use any lubricant other than the natural lubricant all women have), however this bump has persisted for about four days now. at no time has it appeared to worsen - scab - or open up. The bump does not hurt when i push on it or brush it, and i have not tried to pop it because most of what i read says that this is a bad idea. I have had no trouble urinating or pain (burning) while urinating. I read that friction from sex can cause a person who did not know they had herpes to have a outbreak, but i also read that friction can damage hair follicles or it could be any other of a bagillion things wrong with me. i guess i also got hit in the groin by a staff the day after i had had sex with the girl which could have damaged my penis and also caused an outbreak. but that might be stretching it.
I looked up pictures of other peoples herpes, and mine definetly does not fit the google search, but they may have been severe cases, or people with weak immune systems. I have a pretty good system, i am rarely sick and i guess its possible for me to not have outbreaks regularly because of this. I am concerned for myself and my partner(s). i will try and figure out how to put up a couple pics i have of the bump to assist you. i have been putting bacitracin ointment on it that i found in my bathroom. i guess that stuff is like neosporin on roids so. maybe that will help?
thanks for any advice in advance - please ask if you need more info.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You can relax about STDs.  A red bump surrounding a hair is obvious folliculitis, i.e. hair follicle inflammation, often caused by superficial skin bacteria, sometimes staph or strep.  No STD causes such a thing.  Further, the location (in a hairy area) is atypical for STDs that cause skin lesions, like herpes or syphilis.

I suggest keeping the area clean and dry.  Neosporin probably won't hurt, but I'm not sure it will make any difference.  If the lesion behaves like a pimple -- develops pus, drains, then heals -- you probably need do nothing more.  See a health care provider if you develop many other similar lesions, if the bump becomes especially large, or it otherwise doesn't behave as I predicted.  Or just if you want reassurance.

Regarding your message below, Dr. Hook and I do not examine posted photos, so don't bother working that out.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--- HHH, MD

[johndoe344]

i cannot figure out how to post any pics so if this is possible, some assistance would be appreciated.