Herpes

Eczema

The most distinguishable characteristic of eczema are the itchy red and white scaly patches that tend to flake off. The affected area may also appear bald and greasy or oily.

Genital Warts

As the name suggests, genital warts are flesh-colored bumps that appear in your genital area. Unlike herpes, they’re usually painless and don’t develop into pustules. Since they’re caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), there is no treatment for genital warts.

Treatment

As mentioned, herpes is a lifelong infection. The rashes might heal but the infection will remain and it can flare up anytime. But this doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to ease the symptoms. Here are some things you can do to relieve pain during a herpes outbreak:

• Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin.
• Apply a cold compress to the affected areas
• Apply some vaseline to the affected area which can reduce itching
• Wear loose clothes to minimize contact with the affected area
• Wash the affected area with plain water.
• Consider alternative herpes treatments like Herpezine.

Prevention

You may not be able to totally eliminate herpes, but here are some practices you should do to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak. Most of these involve boosting your immune system.

• Avoid stressful situations. High stress and anxiety can affect our immune system poorly. 
• Get enough rest and sleep. Sufficient sleep is needed for our bodies to function correctly and to keep our immune system healthy.
• Eat healthy food. Avoid fried food, sugar, and others that will be detrimental to your health.
• Avoid extreme temperatures. Don’t go into areas that are too hot or too cold because the imbalance in temperature can trigger outbreaks.
• Use protection. If you are sexually active, there’s a huge chance you’ll pass the infection to your partner/s. To prevent transmission, make sure to use appropriate protection or protective measures.

Symptoms

Though they have similar symptoms, disseminated herpes should not be confused with shingles (herpes zoster).

The latter is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a part of the family of herpes viruses. While the former is caused by herpes simplex virus. But some of the symptoms unique to disseminated herpes are:

• Atopic dermatitis
• A widespread eruption of vesicular sacs and pustule
• Orolabial and genital lesions
• Fever
• Dysuria (difficulty or pain urinating)

Immunocompromised patients may not experience orolabial and genital lesions during active outbreaks. But as they are more at risk for more severe and frequent HSV infections, these patients need more aggressive care.

Pregnant women with HSV infection are also more at risk of disseminated herpes. The risk is even greater if they are in their third trimester.

To be sure of the cause of these outbreaks, attending physicians will generally take a sample from the lesion and blood.

Treatments

Since there isn’t yet much known about the disease, all current treatments are experimental. But remember that the primary agent in this type of herpes is the HSV virus. That’s why doctors mostly rely on antiviral therapy to treat the disease.

In one documented case of this disease on a seemingly healthy man, antiviral drugs have proven effective. The patient received intravenous acyclovir for two days. It’s then followed by oral valacyclovir for eight days. His symptoms returned to almost normal within 5 days and he was consequently discharged. The patient didn’t experience any recurrence.

Experts, however, still recommend early diagnosis as critical to clinical management and prevention.

Oral Herpes and Mouth Bumps

Oral herpes is the infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is generally classified into two types: herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2).

Both classifications are incredibly widespread, as 67% of people under 50 have HSV-1, while 13% of people aged 15-49 have HSV-2. Of the two types, HSV-1 is responsible for most cases of oral herpes. This virus is highly contagious and spreads through skin-to-skin contact like kissing.

The virus causes painful sores to appear on the lips, tongue, and mucous membrane lining the mouth (oral mucosa). These sores are called “cold sores,” and last about 2-3 weeks before subsiding. They first appear as painful or irritated bumps and develop into fluid-filled blisters. These blisters typically burst after two days or so which causes even more pain.

How Do I Know If It’s Herpes?

As mentioned, the lumps and bumps on the roof of your mouth can be caused by a lot of things. But if the lesions or cold sores are accompanied by the following symptoms, then there’s a good chance it’s herpes:

• tingling or burning sensation before sores first appear
• fever
• muscle aches
• swollen lymph nodes

But before you start panicking, make sure to confirm it with your doctor or dentist first. For a definitive diagnosis, your doctor may administer the following tests:

• Viral culture
• Biopsy
• A staining test called Tzanck smear
• Antigen and antibody analysis
• Blood sampling
• Treatment

What To Do If The Bumps Are Indeed Herpes

Once infected with the herpes simplex virus, the infection is lifelong. No medications can cure the virus, but it definitely is manageable. Many people live long, fulfilling lives despite having the virus.

To treat fever and muscle aches, experts recommend the following over-the-counter medications:

• Acetaminophen (Feverall, Panadol, Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Ibuprin, Advil, Motrin)

Antiviral drugs (acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir) are also useful in promoting healing, preventing outbreaks, and alleviating some symptoms. These are prescription drugs, so you will need to see a doctor to get them. Your doctor will also provide medical advice on how to properly deal with oral herpes.

To prevent the spread of the herpes simplex virus and promote overall health, we recommend you follow these guidelines:

• don’t kiss anyone when having an active outbreak
• avoid close contact with others
• Don’t share personal items, such as razors, toothbrushes, lip balm, or face towels
• don’t share foods and beverages
• avoid touching the lesions
• maintain proper oral hygiene
• stay away from people with compromised immune systems
• frequently wash your hands

Conclusion

Herpes is a lifelong virus that can have recurring outbreaks. Taking good care of your body by adopting a nutrient-rich diet and healthy habits can drastically reduce the number of outbreaks you experience. Generally, you won’t need to be too worried if cold sores appear in and around your mouth, but if symptoms do not get better after a few weeks, please consult your doctor.

With that being said, there are many possible ways you may be able to treat and transmit viral and bacterial infections. You must know the difference between bacteria vs virus to avoid any health complications in the future. As mentioned in the article, viral and bacterial infections need different treatments. If you happen to misdiagnose yourself with a different infection type and end up taking medication not meant for that infection, you may just cause things to worsen. 

Remember that if you happen to experience symptoms that you are unsure of, consult with a health professional immediately as they would know what to do. Never make assumptions about your health based on common sense and basic knowledge because this can prolong your recovery or, worse, cause severe damage to your body.

Going back, does herpes weaken your immune system? Overall, we can safely say that herpes can disrupt the way our immune system functions. It is just a matter of whether that influence is beneficial or not. While we have every reason to believe that herpes causes our immune systems to weaken, studies have shown otherwise. If you happen to be experiencing anything out of the ordinary in your body, you should go to a healthcare expert nearest to you and relay any concerns that you may have. 

Consulting with a professional is better than simply assuming that something is severely wrong with you. Consulting a doctor can prevent anxiety and fear from not knowing what exactly is going on in your body. We know our bodies better than anybody else, so make sure to listen to your instincts and ask a professional what you don’t already know.

Symptoms

The most obvious sign that you have cold sores is their appearance, of course. But cold sores will be exhibiting their symptoms even before they appear, the most obvious of which is the tingling, itching, and tenderness on the spot they will appear. This is shortly followed by their actual appearance before they burst and crust over. This entire process will take a few weeks, but you should be relieved to know that cold sores often disappear on their own without needing medical intervention. 

It may vary by case, but the following symptoms typically accompany cold sores:

• Fever
• Painful gums
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Swollen lymph nodes

So, can stress cause cold sores?

The consensus is yes; stress can lead to the reactivation of cold sores. It’s long been proven that the various systems in our body, the nervous, endocrine, and immune, are constantly interacting with one another throughout our lives. So, it comes without surprise that stressful events suppress several immune system response components, impacting our biological health. 

One popular study examined the effects of social stress on the reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus-1. In this study, mice were inoculated with the herpes simplex virus-1 and subjected to stress to see how they would respond. The results of the study supported the initial hypothesis that both psychological and physical stressors affect the pathophysiology of diseases. Furthermore, social stress can modulate the reactivation or replication of latent herpesviruses. 

Stress management

So, we know that stress can trigger cold sores, what now? Nobody likes cold sores. They’re annoying, embarrassing, and downright painful. The best way we treat cold sores is by managing our lifestyle in such a way that prevents them from showing up in the first place. Here are some practices and activities to help you relieve stress and relax:

• Breathing techniques
• Exercise
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Spending time outdoors or in nature, away from the fast-paced city life
• Eating a healthy and balanced diet
• Sleep better

Treatment

If prevention is no longer an option, prescription antiviral medication effectively speeds up the healing process. Here are some well-known examples of these:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
• Famciclovir
• Penciclovir (Denavir)

Genital Herpes

The first and one of the most widespread causes of genital blisters and sores is genital herpes. Genital herpes is a condition brought on by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This infection is a common one, where most people don’t even know they have it; most people with genital herpes show very mild symptoms if any at all. 

Genital herpes is spread through unprotected sex with someone who has the infection. The worst part is that this can happen without any apparent symptoms or outbreaks either. An outbreak of this infection can cause painful pus-filled blisters to show up anywhere in your genital region, including your penis head, shaft, and base.

To accurately diagnose genital herpes, doctors use various physical exams and laboratory tests:

• Viral culture
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
• Blood test 

Like many viral infections, genital herpes does not have any cures, but there are ways to manage it:

• antiviral medication (acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir)
• washing affected areas with warm water and gentle soap
• adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet to work around the infection
• reducing stress as stress can aggravate symptoms

Genital Warts

Genital warts are another kind of viral STI brought about by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common STI globally, affecting about 79 million Americans at present. While HPV usually goes away on its own without causing much of a stir, it can lead to more severe conditions like cancer and genital warts.

HPV is typically spread through sexual skin-to-skin contact, both oral and genital. Genital warts appear as small, flesh-colored bumps in the genital region. Diagnosing HPV usually requires two tests to be conducted, if either is inconclusive:

• Pap Test
• HPV Test

Treating your genital warts is not a requirement, especially if you don’t experience discomfort and pain. But if you’re experiencing itching, burning, and pain (all symptoms of genital warts), then you may opt for the following treatment options:

• Imiquimod
• Podophyllin and podofilox
• Trichloroacetic acid
• Sinecatechins

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact. It appears as a painless sore on your genitals and contact with which may spread the infection. After first contracting the infection, syphilis may remain dormant in your body for a number of years before resurfacing and causing problems. 

The following tests may detect the presence of syphilis-causing bacteria in your body:

• Blood tests
• Cerebrospinal fluid

If you’re able to detect and diagnose syphilis early on, treatment is easy and straightforward. At all stages of this infection, penicillin is seen as the best treatment. 

Chancroid

Chancroid is another sexually-transmitted bacterial infection that causes open sores to appear on and around your genitals. You should feel relieved that global incidence has declined significantly, especially in the United States. 

Being an STI, you are at risk of contracting this infection if you’re sexually active. This risk increases even more if you travel and visit countries where this infection has been detected, particularly countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Heterosexual males seem to be at greater risk of contracting the virus than anybody else. 

Accurately diagnosing the infection will require a sample of the fluid draining from the sore. These samples are sent to a laboratory for extensive testing and analysis. 

The following are known ways of treating chancroid:

• Antibiotics (azithromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin)
• Surgery

Scabies

Scabies is one of the more grotesque conditions on this list, enough to make your skin crawl. This condition is caused by the infestation of the skin by the human itch mite; these mites dig into your skin where they eat skin cells and lay eggs. It’s more widespread than you think it is, affecting millions of people each year all over the world. It is technically not a sexually transmitted infection; however, it can be spread through sexual contact nonetheless. You can contract scabies when you come into close physical contact with someone who has the condition.

Symptoms can include itching, pain, and sores appearing anywhere on your body. Scabies can easily be misdiagnosed as eczema or atopic dermatitis, as they produce similar symptoms. A biopsy may be required to examine the infected skin under a microscope.

Treating scabies cannot be done through OTC remedies; you will need a prescription-strength cream to eradicate this infection. You will then need to apply this cream or ointment directly onto the infected area. Your doctor may also prescribe a course of antihistamines and antibiotics to manage the itching and infections resulting from the open sores. 

Granuloma inguinale

Granuloma inguinale is a rare sexually transmitted infection that causes chronic inflammation and scarring of the genitals. Also known as donovanosis, this infection results in blisters and lesions appearing on your genital and rectal areas. Fortunately, it is rare in the United States.

Diagnosing will require fluid from the sore and treatment through antibiotics (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or doxycycline).

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is an infection caused by a poxvirus. You can get it from close physical contact, sexual contact, and sharing towels with a person who has the virus. They appear as itchy, red bumps that can occur as a cluster of as many as 20 of them. Open or damaged sores may spread the virus through the fluid that comes from them.

Molluscum contagiosum can be diagnosed through a visual examination, but your doctor may also take scrapings from the infected area to be sure. Typically, you will not require drastic medical intervention or treatments, as the condition can get better on its own in 6 to 12 months. However, doctors may also recommend that you get the blisters or bumps removed because they are extremely contagious. 

Lymphogranuloma venereum

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually-transmitted bacterial infection caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It is a chronic infection of the lymphatic system. This infection can cause painful ulcers or sores to appear on and around your genitals, and some cases will require a course of oral antibiotics to resolve.

Why should I care?

Anything involving a man’s genitals symbolizes sexual confidence and health. Not only should you be taking care of your genitals to impress your date or a significant other, but because our balls are one of the most sensitive parts of our body. The skin on the scrotum is noticeably thinner than on other parts of the body, which helps with temperature regulation. However, the drawback of this is that it makes this part more sensitive to irritation, itching, and foul odor. So, don’t limit your personal care to your face and hair, but give yourself some love down there too.

How do I treat or prevent my balls from smelling?

Taking care of how you smell is part and parcel of personal care. Washing your face and putting on deodorant is a good start towards better self-care, but you can’t stop there. Here are some ways you can stop the funk and improve overall genital health.

Wash your balls daily

It should go without saying that showering daily should already be a part of your routine. Make sure to wash all parts of your body thoroughly, especially your underarms and groin. Your boys go through a lot, so you should reward them with a nice and thorough wash. And when you get out of the shower, be sure to dry them completely. Using a blow dryer on a cool setting might help, but you can also just use a towel.

Don’t use harsh products

Speaking of washing, you shouldn’t use products with too many chemicals, as they may harm your boys in the process. We advise using products with more natural ingredients, such as essential oils and plant extracts. 

Antiperspirants can be extremely effective

Ball odor typically arises because of sweat and excess moisture. Sweat can cause itching, chafing, and all sorts of nasty odors down there. Antiperspirants or baby powders do well in sucking up extra moisture and keeping your nether region dry. 

Give yourself a trim

While some pubic hair is good for the body, too much of it can cause you to smell bad. One function of pubic hair is to trap bacteria and microorganisms from entering the body through our orifices like the penis and vagina. The downside to this is that it can trap moisture too, and we’ve talked enough about what moisture can do in terms of odor. 

Watch what you eat

Wait, so what I eat dictates how I’ll smell? Yes, it does. Studies involving the male body and body odor showed that a diet heavy in fruits and vegetables leads to better, more pleasant scents than those rich in red meats, carbohydrates, and dairy.

Skin diseases

Eczema and psoriasis are skin conditions that have been heavily linked to vaginal itching in the past. 

Otherwise known as atopic dermatitis, eczema is a common condition among people with asthma and allergies. It’s an umbrella term that doctors use to refer to several types of skin swelling. This condition causes dry and itchy skin, as well as rashes on different parts of the body. The cause of eczema remains unknown, but experts believe it has something to do with genetics and environmental factors. 

Psoriasis, on the other hand, is a chronic autoimmune skin disease that causes scaly, itchy, and red patches to form. Both these conditions are quite capable of spreading symptoms to the vagina too. 

Yeast infection

Also known as candidiasis, this infection is due to a type of yeast called Candida. Candida can reside within the vagina, and it doesn’t necessarily cause problems all the time. According to Mayo Clinic, this condition is a very common one, affecting about 75% of women. Vaginal candidiasis is the specific term for when the yeast infection is afflicting the vagina, and its symptoms include the following:

• vaginal itching or soreness
• pain during sexual intercourse
• painful urination
• abnormal vaginal discharge

The infection typically occurs after a course of antibiotics. Aside from killing off harmful bacteria, these medications also kill some good ones, which are needed to keep the infection at bay.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Most, if not all, sexually transmitted diseases can cause vaginal itching. As you might already know, STDs can be contracted through unprotected sex and can potentially bring with them a large number of unwanted symptoms. The typical STDs that can cause vaginal itching include:

• chlamydia
• genital warts
• gonorrhea
• genital herpes
• trichomoniasis

Besides vaginal itching, these STDs can cause abnormal discharge, abnormal growths like lesions, and flu-like symptoms.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the single most common vaginal condition among women aged 15-44, according to the CDC. This condition’s cause isn’t very well-known, but BV is found to be more widespread in sexually active women. Like yeast infections, BV is said to occur when an imbalance of bacteria occurs. Other symptoms that tend to accompany itching include inflammation, discharge, burning, and a fishy-smelling odor.

Vulvar cancer

In rare cases, vulvar cancer may be the culprit behind vaginal itching. This is cancer that develops in the vulva, the external portion of the female genitalia. This condition will not always exhibit symptoms, but when it does, itching and pain in the vulvar area are to be expected. 

Menopause

The last but certainly not the least likely cause of vaginal itching and dryness is menopause. We’ve been talking all about vaginal itching throughout this article, but when it comes to the vagina drying up, menopause is the leading culprit. 

Naturally, the inner walls of the vagina are kept moist with a layer of clear liquid. It stays lubricated, healthy, and elastic through the hormone estrogen and a decrease, causing the vagina to be dry. Vaginal dryness is one of the main symptoms of menopause, with one in every three women experiencing it when undergoing menopause. 

Treatment

Treating the vaginal itching and dryness will mean treating the underlying condition causing them. 

Skin diseases

Eczema is still an incurable disease, but there are several things you can do to reduce its severity. Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream or ointment to you to control itching and repair skin. You may also need to take antibiotics to fight infections. Here’s a comprehensive guide in navigating eczema. 

Your doctor may prescribe you corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, retinoids, calcineurin inhibitors, salicylic acid, coal tar, Goeckerman therapy, or anthralin to treat psoriasis. 

Yeast infection

Antifungal medications in the form of creams, ointments, tablets, or suppositories may be useful against yeast infections. Fluconazole might also work as a single-dose oral medication.

Sexually transmitted diseases

STD treatments include antibiotic and antiviral medication, depending on the source of the disease. 

Bacterial vaginosis

Your doctor may prescribe you one of the following to treat BV:

• Metronidazole
• Clindamycin
• Tinidazole 

Menopause

According to the Mayo Clinic, the following are effective treatments for menopause:

• hormone therapy
• vaginal estrogen
• low-dose antidepressants
• gabapentin
• clonidine
• medications to treat osteoporosis

Pain and other symptoms

Pain, coupled with other symptoms, is also a telling indicator between ingrown hairs and herpes. To the touch, ingrown hairs can be a bit tender and painful, much like a pimple would be. If you try to press or squeeze it, you will feel sensations similar to what would happen if you pressed or squeeze a pimple. 

Cold sores are quite different. The pain you get from cold sores is quite sharp and lingering. They give off an itching or burning sensation and are typically very tender. During an initial herpes outbreak, cold sores will also be accompanied by a flurry of other symptoms, including a fever, muscular pain, and headaches. Another telltale sign for genital herpes is a pain when you urinate, which inflamed ingrown hairs don’t cause. 

If you want to be totally sure of what you have, you can always get an expert’s opinion. 

Treatment

Since you have two different diagnoses, treatment for each will also be different.

Treating ingrown hairs

When you see an ingrown hair form, it’s best to leave it alone. Without any special treatments, they will typically get better on their own. Ingrown hairs will generally subside within a few days, with more severe cases lasting a few weeks. But you shouldn’t expect anything more than a little pain and discomfort. 

You shouldn’t aggravate the ingrown hair by picking and scratch it. Doing this is actually counterproductive, as it could cause the ingrown hairs to get infected, causing them to last longer and hurt more. 

If the ingrown hair is visible and close to the surface, you may use a sterilized needle or tweezers to tease the hair into coming out gently. Don’t try to do it if the hair lies deep in the skin. If infection occurs, you will need to apply a topical antiseptic, antibacterial, or antiviral medication to treat it, depending on the type of infection. 

Treating herpes sores

Herpes is lifelong, which means there is no treating the virus itself. You can treat the accompanying symptoms, including cold sores. We have an article discussing what you can do to fix it short-term and long-term. You can read that here.