What do genital warts look like? or is this an ingrown hair?!
Question: What do genital warts look like.? or is this an ingrown hair.?
i'm stuck waiting a week for my gyno appointment, so here's my story:
a little over 3 weeks ago after shaving, i developed a nasty ingrown hair. it was obviously one, on my outer labia, close to a part that frequently rubs against underwear.
a little over 2 weeks ago, it was no longer tender so i popped it. about a week later, i popped it again. both times it popped, it was obviously an irritated ingrown hair based on what came out. i should add that i'm highly prone to ingrown hairs and acne.
so for a little over a week now, i've had this tiny flesh colored pinkish bump that won't pop anymore. it seems like scar tissue still healing. its perfectly round, only slightly raised, has an obvious cavity in the center. due to the long amount of time this has taken to heal, i am concerned.
i looked up just about every photo of genital warts i can find. it isn't shaped like cauliflower and doesn't really look like any photos i see, though they are all pretty extreme. also, most photos i see are of warts are on the inner labia, and mine is VERY outer. i never felt a tingly sensation or itchiness that seems to be associated with an outbreak based on what i read. also, assuming this is warts, shouldn't popping and picking at it have caused the warts to spread.? i've done a thorough examination with a lighted vanity mirror and have no other questionable spots or bumps. i've also done an internal examination and cannot feel anything different from the last time i tested clean. i was with someone a few months ago and the condom broke, i tested negative for everything else. however, i am in the age group that seems to test highest for hpv, which is making me consider guardasil assuming i test clean.
i am scheduled to get tested, but that's not for a week and i'm just trying to prep myself ahead of time, maybe catch a few zzz's since this has been driving me nuts. please, only respond if you know firsthand what you're talking about.
thanks!Health Question & Answer
a little over 3 weeks ago after shaving, i developed a nasty ingrown hair. it was obviously one, on my outer labia, close to a part that frequently rubs against underwear.
a little over 2 weeks ago, it was no longer tender so i popped it. about a week later, i popped it again. both times it popped, it was obviously an irritated ingrown hair based on what came out. i should add that i'm highly prone to ingrown hairs and acne.
so for a little over a week now, i've had this tiny flesh colored pinkish bump that won't pop anymore. it seems like scar tissue still healing. its perfectly round, only slightly raised, has an obvious cavity in the center. due to the long amount of time this has taken to heal, i am concerned.
i looked up just about every photo of genital warts i can find. it isn't shaped like cauliflower and doesn't really look like any photos i see, though they are all pretty extreme. also, most photos i see are of warts are on the inner labia, and mine is VERY outer. i never felt a tingly sensation or itchiness that seems to be associated with an outbreak based on what i read. also, assuming this is warts, shouldn't popping and picking at it have caused the warts to spread.? i've done a thorough examination with a lighted vanity mirror and have no other questionable spots or bumps. i've also done an internal examination and cannot feel anything different from the last time i tested clean. i was with someone a few months ago and the condom broke, i tested negative for everything else. however, i am in the age group that seems to test highest for hpv, which is making me consider guardasil assuming i test clean.
i am scheduled to get tested, but that's not for a week and i'm just trying to prep myself ahead of time, maybe catch a few zzz's since this has been driving me nuts. please, only respond if you know firsthand what you're talking about.
thanks!Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Genital warts present in a huge variety of ways, so even if they're warts, they may not necessarily look like the ones you find in Google Image Search.
Genital warts aren't itchy, and they don't tingle. That's herpes. Totally different creature. However, like herpes, HPV does NOT require penetration or fluids to spread. Direct skin contact will do it. Condoms offer limited protection against herpes and HPV, but it is still way better than no protection.
With that said, your doctor can test the lesion with an acetic acid solution to see if it is a wart. And even if it is, you should still get Gardasil -- that vaccine protects against 4 strains of HPV, so if you even have one strain, that's three other strains you'd have protection against.
And one more thing: pubic hair shaving makes you more susceptible to picking up STDs because it irritates the holy hell out of your skin. That hair is there to protect you. It's more healthy to trim the stuff. It's just too bad a silly little cosmetic trend is putting people at greater risk of catching STDs.Health Question & Answer
Genital warts aren't itchy, and they don't tingle. That's herpes. Totally different creature. However, like herpes, HPV does NOT require penetration or fluids to spread. Direct skin contact will do it. Condoms offer limited protection against herpes and HPV, but it is still way better than no protection.
With that said, your doctor can test the lesion with an acetic acid solution to see if it is a wart. And even if it is, you should still get Gardasil -- that vaccine protects against 4 strains of HPV, so if you even have one strain, that's three other strains you'd have protection against.
And one more thing: pubic hair shaving makes you more susceptible to picking up STDs because it irritates the holy hell out of your skin. That hair is there to protect you. It's more healthy to trim the stuff. It's just too bad a silly little cosmetic trend is putting people at greater risk of catching STDs.Health Question & Answer