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Suggest Treatment For Small Blisters On Penis Post Unprotected Intercourse

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Posted on Sat, 14 Nov 2015
Question: I've recently had unprotected sex and notice a little patch of bumps on the underside of my penis. They’ve been the same for about 5 days. My initial thoughts are HPV, but I’m not sure.

I'm currently traveling in a foreign country, so I don't have access to my home doctor.

Assuming it is HPV:

Can I not have risk-free sex anymore? I have heard that they spread even with condom use, but I have also heard that 80% of people have HPV. I can imagine the stigma behind this greatly affecting future relationships if it’s forever, then again, I’ve heard it referred to as the ‘common cold’ of STDs. I am very confused by the severity.

If I can have sex again, how long do I wait? Between most people having HPV and assuming my warts have cleared, is it safe to have condom sex again?

Is it reasonable to assume that this is definitely HPV, or should I get some sort of test? (I am currently traveling, so I would have to fly back to my home country to get tested.) The photos I see online seem to be quite gruesome, mine do not appear to be that bad.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar a good cure?

Can this virus go away completely with proper immune system support? Or will I be infected forever? I’ve read conflicting reports.

Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Genital Herpes or folliculitis are the possibilities, Warts unlikely

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.

I saw the picture carefully. None of the pictures sent by you has the configuration of Genital warts.
There are erythematous base surrounding certain lesions. Erythema in warts is unusual. Grouped tiny lesions are likely to be either Genital Herpes or folliculitis. With Genital Herpes recurrence is common. There is no characteristic appearance of a wart in any of the pictures. Sometimes a palpable feeling can give a clue to the diagnosis (rare to be a wart).
Genital warts can be cured to a point of total cure. One can have sex without any problem following two months after the complete cure.
Kindly consult a Dermato-venereologist or a Genito-urinary physician. He/she will examine carefully and suggest you the correct treatment. It is always far superior than getting suggestions on line after seeing the picture.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (8 hours later)
Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX

It is difficult to see a physician until I am back in my home country in two weeks. The other doctor on this website insisted they are warts.

Before your response, I followed some online instructions and put a cotton ball with Apple Cider Vinegar on the bumps and sealed with a bandage.

I've read that the bumps turning white is a typical response to this Apple Cider Vinegar treatment, and such they have turned white. Can you take a look and let me know your thoughts?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r31wwmmigd9zx9d/DSC00137%20copy.jpg?dl=0
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No home remedies for warts

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Change of color with vinegar indicates warts. But it would go for color changes within few minutes (say 5 minute) not with overnight application with occlusive dressing. Vinegar happened to be a week acid and occlusive dressing would have a color change even with normal skin. Home remedies would not do much help.
No harm in waiting for few days if it is warts. Consult your physician and have the appropriate treatment and get well soon.
DR S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)
Thanks Doctor!

I'm going to attempt to find someone local, is there a specific doctor I should look for? A dermatologist? A urologist?

Thanks again, I'm somewhat relieved to hear it's likely warts and not herpes.

If there is any diet or lifestyle changes I can do to attempt to beat the virus that would be great to know.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Consult a Dermatologist rather than a urologist

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Your decision to meet physician is wiser one. A Dermatologist is definitely better choice than a urologist. Abstinence from sex is the only important thing to be observed till a complete cure.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (36 hours later)
Hi Doctor!

I visited a local Urologist here (I was only able to find a Urologist who speaks English on short order - I would have had to wait a week for a dermatologist).

He took a look at my penis and immediately said herpes. He prescribed anti-viral medication.

My concern is that it sounds like herpes is fluid filled blisters that pop by themselves, are painful, cause painful urination, fever, etc. I am experiencing none of these symptoms, everything feels very normal other than my penis (visually) which has seen better days.

I'm actually fairly certain that the lesions wouldn't have popped, or turned white had I not applied the Apple Cider Vinegar.

Here is the progression of the sores:

Day 1 - 4: http://yyyyyyy/n8yylYY
Day 5 (After applying vinegar): http://yyyyyyyy/iGMeXPx
Day 6: http://yyyyyy/roOeBvl
Day 7 (today): http://yyyyyyy/4xZAtdt

Do you think I should ask a second opinion? I don't think it's herpes.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Herpes not necessarily painful with all

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Urologist is a specialist for surgical problem of kidney and urinary tract not with medical problems.
Herpes zoster is always associated with pain. Herpes simplex wouldn't be painful with all. Still it could be herpes simplex infection. Direct examination would clinch the diagnosis. Upload the pictures in HCM site itself so that I can visualize the same and extend further opinion.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)
Thanks Doctor, images have been uploaded.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of Herpes simplex is more

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
I saw the pictures. Herpes simplex is a self limiting disease. Spontaneous healing is possible even without any treatment in a immunocomperent person. Response to the treatment in case of warts would be different. Herpes healed with the application of vinegar. I still feel that this is Herpes simplex infection only.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 hours later)
Thanks Doctor, I trust your recommendation and anxiously await my blood test results on Thursday.

How would you recommend I proceed with my sex life at this point? What are the transmission rates once my anti-viral medication fixes the sores on my penis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Better to follow the instructions of your treating physician

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back
Unless I examine the lesions directly and follow up, it is very difficult to give advice regarding sex. Anyhow in case of warts or herpes, one can resume sex with Condom after complete healing of the lesion. There may be viral shedding for few days in case of Herpes and chances of relapse in case of warts. After a fortnight or a month, you can resume sex without protection or follow the instructions of your treating physician.
Dr S Murugan
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

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

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3109 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Small Blisters On Penis Post Unprotected Intercourse

Brief Answer: Genital Herpes or folliculitis are the possibilities, Warts unlikely Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. I saw the picture carefully. None of the pictures sent by you has the configuration of Genital warts. There are erythematous base surrounding certain lesions. Erythema in warts is unusual. Grouped tiny lesions are likely to be either Genital Herpes or folliculitis. With Genital Herpes recurrence is common. There is no characteristic appearance of a wart in any of the pictures. Sometimes a palpable feeling can give a clue to the diagnosis (rare to be a wart). Genital warts can be cured to a point of total cure. One can have sex without any problem following two months after the complete cure. Kindly consult a Dermato-venereologist or a Genito-urinary physician. He/she will examine carefully and suggest you the correct treatment. It is always far superior than getting suggestions on line after seeing the picture. Dr S.Murugan