Bumps near vagina *pictures included !!*

Sexual health
1
this started 3 says ago, i went swimmimg on memorial day and i was in a wet swimsuit for a few hours so i dont know if maybe its just a rash from rubbing against or if it is something scary like herpes. i made an appt but they cannot see me for a few weeks and it hurts to pee and even walk because the bumps are on the lips, and also in my perineal area and butt cheeks, so when i walk or sit they rub against each other i just got out of the shower and took this pic so they were wet, theres normally not white in the center of them, and. theres not bumps in my actual vagina.

image

2

that looks like the beginning of a herpes outbreak but im not sure

3

this is a herpes outbreak. im so sorry..

4

Dear Patient,

Can you please tell us when you last had sex in relation to the onset of symptoms? Before we jump to conclusions, I need to know if the rash started after sexual exposure. And was it with a regular or new partner?

Swimming on Memorial day is not relevant.

Adhari

5

i have had the same boyfriend for 2 years, we have not had sex in about 2 weeks

6

im trying to think of other things that could be relevent, they started monday evening/tuesday when i woke up. monday evening i had some stinging sensation when i pee. i did shave that area monday morning,

7

Dear Patient,

Thanks for the information. You say the rash/lesions are on “on the lips, and also in my perineal area and butt cheeks”.

Is the distribution of the lesions all on the SAME SIDE? As you’ve not had sex for 2 weeks with your regular BF of two years, I’m less inclined to think it’s genital herpes (HSV), but instead it could be shingles, caused by a related herpesvirus (VZV, herpes zoster virus).

Could you possibly check if the rash is one-sided and update us? This is a typical characteristic (dermatomal distribution) of shingles.

Adhari

8

yes they are all on one side, i colored some of it out as i just started a period so it was bloody so sorry. there is one lesion right at the tip of my butt that does sting very bad. but yes to your question they are all on one side

9

if this helps i should add i never have chicken pox

10

heres anothet pic

11

Thanks for posting more details. If it’s unilateral (one-sided), it certainly supports the diagnosis of shingles. If you can, try to get a phone consult with your GP and explain what you’ve told us and also that the painful rash is unilateral and that it could be shingles. They could then provide you with a prescription of aciclovir or valciclovir for shingles. Both these drugs will also treat genital herpes, in case you’re worried about this. If none of this is possible, take some painkillers (paracetamol) and buy some calamine lotion from the local drugstore/chemist to soothe the spots.

If shingles is likely, you should avoid contact with babies <1 month, pregnant women and immunocompromised people until all the lesions have scabbed.

Ideally, a swab for herpes virus (HSV, VZV DNA tests) will confirm the diagnosis, but this may be impractical because of lockdown.

Many children with CP have a mild infection and the typical spotty rash may have gone unnoticed in your case.

More information if you Google “shingles NHS advice”.

Adhari

12

thank you so much for all of your help !!