Does genital herpes and folliculitis look a like?

No: Folliculitis tends to focused around base of hair follicles - in many cases after shaving closely. Genital herpes can start with small blisters - not centered around hair follicles - can progress to shallow, painful ulcerations. Each requires different treatment.

Rationalizing Rashes: Folliculitis is a pustular inflammatory reaction in a hair follicle with bacterial invasion secondary to microtrauma or glandular hyperactivity, such as that seen with shaving or acne. Genital herpes is viral and blister-like involving more than just the follicle, but can become secondarily infected with bacteria and could appear like a folliculitis. A physician exam will help distinguish them.

Sometimes: Herpes is the "great imitator" and may be confused for folliculitis or other skin changes. Any genital lesion should be presented to a physician for evaluation.

Genital herpes: Signs of genital herpes tend to develop within three to seven days of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Genital herpes infections look like small blisters or ulcers (round areas of broken skin) on the genitals. Each blister or ulcer is typically only 1 to 3 millimeters (1/32 inch to 1/8th inch) in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into "crops.".

They can be similar.: Genital herpes can present as vesicles, pustules, or erythemetous (red) ulcers that are painful. Folliculitis is an infection of staph. Aureus that can present as domed, yellow pustules with a narrow red margin.

Yes and no: At the beginning they may look alike. Genital herpes will often cluster and form a group of fluid filled vesicles. Folliculitis will form small pus bumps around each hair follicle.