Herpes? Genital Dermatitis / Psoriasis? Or both?

[wildman]

Both! I have both! A blood test says HSV 2! A biopsy says dermatitis!

You might think this is bad news, but it isn't! I got Valtrex and was taking it, but I was still having fleeting red marks on my junk, itchiness, tingling, etc. I was sure I was doomed . . . DOOMED!

But then I got a suspicious red mark biopsied . . . and it was Dermatitis! Dermatitis that was possibly triggered by the immune system reaction the the HSV 2.

Why was this important information? Because topical steroids cleared up the red marks pretty easily and now I have ZERO symptoms of anything. This is SO MUCH better than thinking I was randomly having HSV symptoms all over the place. Dermatitis (just like HSV 2) can be triggered by sex, friction, stress, etc. But UNLIKE HSV 2, it's usually easily treatable (if not curable).

Believe me, if you have suspicious red marks that you ASSUME must be HSV 2  . . . Do yourself a favor and get a biopsy to be sure . . . There is literally no way to tell between a fleeting symptom of dermatitis and a fleeting HSV 2 symptom (my dermatologist could not tell) . . . Although if topical steroids clear it up, then it's probably not HSV, and if topical steroids make it worse, then it's probably SOMETHING that's either viral, bacterial, or fungal (and my dermatologist told me that sometimes if you are lucky it can be a combo platter of SOME OR ALL OF THOSE THINGS). 

Bottom line is that if something on your junk is bothering you at all, GET A BIOPSY. If you have HSV 2, you have an extra risk of strange stuff happening down there, not all of it HSV 2, and you need to keep an eye on it - you can't just assume your symptoms are from HSV. 

There are probably thousands of people out there with diagnosed HSV 2 and un-diagnosed HSV-triggered dermatitis, and they think they are having HSV 2 symptoms all the time and their lives are ruined, but really it's relatively easily treatable dermatitis (or some other recurrent condition) . . . don't let that be you!!!!!

Are you sure your "outbreak" issues are really HSV 2? The power of suggestion is real - you know all about HSV, so you assume it must be HSV.  But if Valtrex "isn't working" there is a good chance it's something else . . . go see a doctor (preferably) or else systematically try (the recommended) OTC treatments for other potential conditions to see if they work for you (which is a good sign the condition belongs to the category of conditions targeted by that treatment - be systematic though, and discontinue if it gets worse) . . .

This is a free PSA.

 

[Dacrazy1]

Thanks, very helpful. 

[Soconfused2]

OMG i feel like this is happening to me! This gives me hope. Sorry for the late reply but i would love ask you more about whag what happening! The valtrex isnt working and i just keep getting "outbreaks" or whatever. I started getting what i think is hsv1 on my scalp, and then a pimple on back etc. all of these "outbreaks" i have had have never been "clustered". Just singular little pimple. Ive had analfissures for over a year now that wont clear with 3days of valtrex. 

[wildman]

I'm no doctor, but none of those things sounds like HSV. Half the time a dermatologist can't tell what something is without a swab or a biopsy. My advice would be to go to a derm and insist on a biopsy / swab to see what it is. Usually they might not do that (run lab tests) for something so "minor," but if you really want to know what it is, then that's the thing you to do, and you should "insist" on the lab testing. You could have some pathogenic bacteria (staph, etc, etc) that has colonized you and is causing problems, but you won't know the right antibiotic to take unless they actually test it. Some people also just have skin issues that are semi-chronic. Doctor though, definitely see one.