What could be the reason for having very small red bumps around the head base of the penis following an oral sex with a person having Herpes type 2?

Question

Hi doctor,

My partner has Herpes type 2. She told me she did not have Herpes type 1, which affects her mouth. So we had oral sex. However, I did not have penetrative sexual intercourse. After about two hours when I got back home, I then took a shower and then went to sleep. As days pass by, I start to notice very small red bumps around the head base of the penis. At the same time, the base is also red which looks like it is irritated. However, I never had those small red bumps on the base of the penis. It has been a month and a week, and they are painless and they do not look like it has pus. I have no pain or itch. I did experience a headache within the first two weeks but I just took Advil and I guess I got muscle aches. The very small bumps have not grown in size, they are very small and are hard to notice. You have to shine a flash at them in order to get a good look at them. But the thing that I wonder, is the reason why I got this. Is it because I did not shower right after the act? What caused small little red bumps to appear on the base of the penis?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I have examined your picture (attachments removed to protect the patient's privacy). Neither your history nor the given picture suggested herpes. It looks like a Fordyce spot or Verucca plana. Fordyce spots or Syringoma is an overgrowth of sweat gland cells. No treatment is required for them as they are benign and may decrease or settle down with time. Also, they are harmless. If you want to get them treated for cosmetic reasons, you may ask your local dermatologist for radiofrequency laser sessions. I cannot assure you of any time limit, but they may decrease in three to six months' time. Sometimes, they may persist.

I hope this information will help you. Please revert in case of more queries.

Thank you.