Can a brief scrotal rash be a sign of herpes?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have quite a bit of concern about genital herpes, and you may not know you have it. I have had cold sores for many years (oral herpes). Many years ago (30 years), I had a small rash on my scrotum. It did not itch; there was no redness, just tiny darkish bumps that were not clustered but evenly distributed in a pattern. They were on the front of my scrotum.

I took a blood test recently, and it was positive for type 1 and negative for type 2. The strange thing is that the bumps disappeared in about two hours after I went swimming. Since I hear anything can be herpes, I remembered this incident. I really would not have even noticed or remembered it, but it was a little strange.

Since there were no real symptoms of herpes, and based on an article I read about herpes looking like almost any rash, I am concerned. I am recently engaged, so I have started to worry about my private parts.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

There are several types of herpes, which affect different body parts. Herpes type 1 typically involves the lips and oral cavity. Sometimes it can occur on the face or on other body parts as well.

However, herpes type 2 typically involves the genital area, and it is most likely spread by sexual contact.

It is not correct that a herpes rash could be of any type. Herpetic rash characteristically appears as grouped vesicles. Actually, the word "herpes" means "grape-like."

On clinical examination, the herpes rash is vesicular, and the vesicles are so close together that they give a grape-like appearance. Moreover, it presents with a burning and tingling sensation, and it does not disappear within two hours.

If your rash disappeared within two hours, then it could be something else, but not a herpes infection. If you are positive for herpes type one, then it could be due to a herpetic infection on your thumb.

You need not worry if, at present, you do not have any rash. Even rashes from other sexually transmitted diseases do not disappear within two hours.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.

Can a brief scrotal rash be a sign of herpes?

Genital Herpes Rash Companion