Canada
A 27-year-old female asked:
I get very scared when i see a bump in my genital area, how can i tell the difference between ingrown hairs and genital herpes?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Pamela Pappasanswered
Psychiatry 42 years experience
Herpes: Ingrown hairs don't usually burn or itch, and genital herpes blisters do. If you have any question at all about what you see on yourself, please see your physician.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Christina Adberganswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 26 years experience
Good question: Those two lesions can sometimes look similar! herpes doesn't universally have a hair in the center of the lesion though. It can, but it affects all areas of the skin not just the hair follicles. So if your bumps always have a hair in them, then it's probably not herpes. Herpes starts out as a tender swelling, progresses to a blister, then an ulcer that dries and scabs over. Healing takes a week.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Oct 16, 2016
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