| scoutgirl
- Thu Jan 04, 2007 12:51 pm |
I am a 33yr old female that recently found out that the person I am dating has been diagnosed with Shingles. I frequently shave my bikini line and I have an outbreak of little red bumps all over. They Itch and are quite painful. I am hoping that this is just a bad case of razor rash but is there anyway it could be herpes? I already had chicken pox.
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| Dr. Chan Lowe
- Thu Jan 04, 2007 2:31 pm |
 Shingles is typically from the varicella virus (chicken pox), not the herpes virus. One can get the chicken pox from a person with Shingles if there is contact with the opened vesicles.
Shingles tends to be quite painful and almost always is only on one side.
The rash you describe is much more likely to be razor irritation. Herpes lesions typically are more vesicular (blister like) than they are small red bumps.
If you are concerned I would recommend evaluation by a physician to make an accurate diagnosis.
Hope this helps.
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| scoutgirl
- Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:33 pm |
Thank you for assuring me that I don't have some form of herpes in my genital area. I did make an appt. to my OBGYN and surprisingly she said she didn't know what it was! She suggested that I go to a Dermatologist which I really don't want to do.
I have been using cortisone cream and it is not working. And now it seems like they are getting worse rather than better. Any suggestions?
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| Dr. Chan Lowe
- Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:30 pm |
Having your gynecologist say that she is not sure what the rash is makes me wonder myself. Cortisone creams are good for most inflammatory type reactions, including razor burn; however, it is possible that the cream may be causing some irritation or clogging pores.
Additionally, you may have a case of folliculitis-inflamed hair follicles-that may need some Antibiotics if they have become secondarily infected.
I would avoid using steriod creams in the genital area for any prolonged period of time as they can cause skin atrophy easier in this area than other skin areas. You may consider taking a break for shaving the affected area to give the skin a chance to heal, also. A slight moisturizer may be of help.
Having said that, I would agree with your doctor. If she did not recognize what the rash was I would recommend evaluation by a dermatologist. Better to get a definite diagnosis and use the right treatment than trying multiple treatments that may help or may worsen your symptoms.
Hope this helps. Keep us updated.
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| scoutgirl
- Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:01 pm |
I still haven't gone to the Dermatologist. Is there anything that I could use over the counter to clear this up? The bumps are better but still present and annoying. I am trying to avoid another medical bill. I am thinking of calling my primary doctor to see if she could prescribe something.
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| Dr. Chan Lowe
- Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:59 pm |
There may be something that can help but without being able to make a diagnosis I cannot make a recommendation. Your doctor, however, may be able to prescribe you a medication to help. I would suggest talking with them to see if there is something you can try.
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