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What Causes Intermittent Itching Around Pubic Area?

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Posted on Fri, 6 Mar 2015
Question: Hi doctor, itchiness on pubic hair area comes and goes just right above penis. No bumps and nothing seems unusual, probably just slightly red. Did have sex with a prostitute with a condom but it isn't covering full of the penis but probably 3/4 of it. About a week from now, might this be a early sign of herpes? As HSV 2 can be transmitted from skin to skin contact. What are the chances of me getting it?

Your reply is most appreciated. Thank you doctor.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I suggest a conservative approach right now; may take up blood test later.

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I have taken note of your query and I have also reviewed the Image.

The image looks perfectly normal. There are no lesions visible to the eye.

A condom does not fully protect against Genital Herpes as well as certain other STD's like Genital warts, Syphilis.
These STD's may develop at base of penile shaft and base of scrotum from infected genital secretions & surfaces of sexual partners, with which these areas might have come into contact during sexual intercourse.

Regarding possibility of genital herpes, it may present with prodromal symptoms like tingling, burning and itching that is usually followed by herpetic sores/ erosion's soon after.
Your symptoms may just be related to anxiety or probably to irritation from short pubic hair.
Incubation period of genital herpes varies from 2-12 days, therefore, you are yet not passed that duration and I would suggest you to just wait and watch for now.
However, many individuals may not develop a clinical episode immediately following an infection i.e initial infection may be asymptomatic. The infection may only be detected by a blood test.

The chances of getting herpes from an infected partner are more if there were active sores of herpes in your sexual partner.
During clinically inactive phases the risk of transmission of less but are still present.

The most logical next step for you would be to wait and watch and if you develop any suspicious lesions you may get yourself checked for it.

You may take a up a blood test for genital herpes at 4 weeks for circulating antibodies against the virus, if indeed you were infected.

Alternatively a PCR test for herpes virus can be performed for early detection of infection, if any, even without any clinically obvious lesions.
PCR is accurate and reliable and is a gold standard test for herpes.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (14 minutes later)
Thanks for your reply but doctor. before this my hair was not shaved but only after feeling the itch after the intercourse probably 2 days later. That is when i went to shaved my pubic hair but to no avail.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Just observe for a few days. Take up a blood test at 4 weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Fine. I suggest you to just observe for the next few days. If you develop any suspicious lesions you may get checked.
You can take up a blood test at 4 weeks for circulating antibodies, if any. They would be present by 4 weeks, if you were indeed infected.
I also suggest an OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily for symptomatic relief from off and on itching.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (29 minutes later)
Okay. So i will monitor for a few more days and if nothing shows up, i will need to go for the blood test am i right doctor? If after 4 weeks i went for the check up and it's negative. Am i clear from it?

Doctor, i went to consult a doctor few days back. They told me to free the anxiety as it might be a fungal infection. I have protected sex with her. The chances of getting may happen but minimal. Do you agree with their statement?
Im still quite confused, can a yeast infection or fungal infection be passed on to the pubic area if having intercourse
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I suggest blood test to detect presence of circulating Antibodies at 4 wk

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, you may take up a blood test (IgM as well as IgG for HSV type 1 & 2) at 4 weeks and if that is negative that rules out Herpes.
Till that time you may just observe and check with your doctor if any suspicious lesion comes up.
As I mentioned before, Genital herpes can be transmitted by direct/ skin to skin contact, therefore a condom does not offer 100% protection against genital herpes transmission as it covers only the shaft.
The risk of transmission is more during an active episode of herpes and less otherwise but it is not Zero.
In fact most of the new cases of herpes are passed on during clinically asymptomatic phases because a person does'nt normally suspect an STD if there are no clinical lesions.
Yeast/ fungal infection is not an STD. It usually arises de novo.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)
Hi doctor, i had just went to my local GP and he gave me this UNIFLEX cream. The itch starts to went down a little.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You may continue with it

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

This cream contains a topical steroid and would help with itch. Topical steroids are anti-inflammatory.
It is just for symptomatic relief for itching because there is nothing visible there.
Use it for just 2-3 days and I guess that would be enough.

Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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What Causes Intermittent Itching Around Pubic Area?

Brief Answer: I suggest a conservative approach right now; may take up blood test later. Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic I have taken note of your query and I have also reviewed the Image. The image looks perfectly normal. There are no lesions visible to the eye. A condom does not fully protect against Genital Herpes as well as certain other STD's like Genital warts, Syphilis. These STD's may develop at base of penile shaft and base of scrotum from infected genital secretions & surfaces of sexual partners, with which these areas might have come into contact during sexual intercourse. Regarding possibility of genital herpes, it may present with prodromal symptoms like tingling, burning and itching that is usually followed by herpetic sores/ erosion's soon after. Your symptoms may just be related to anxiety or probably to irritation from short pubic hair. Incubation period of genital herpes varies from 2-12 days, therefore, you are yet not passed that duration and I would suggest you to just wait and watch for now. However, many individuals may not develop a clinical episode immediately following an infection i.e initial infection may be asymptomatic. The infection may only be detected by a blood test. The chances of getting herpes from an infected partner are more if there were active sores of herpes in your sexual partner. During clinically inactive phases the risk of transmission of less but are still present. The most logical next step for you would be to wait and watch and if you develop any suspicious lesions you may get yourself checked for it. You may take a up a blood test for genital herpes at 4 weeks for circulating antibodies against the virus, if indeed you were infected. Alternatively a PCR test for herpes virus can be performed for early detection of infection, if any, even without any clinically obvious lesions. PCR is accurate and reliable and is a gold standard test for herpes. Regards