I shaved my legs today and noticed I had a very small red open sore on my inner thigh. It doesn't bleed, nor does it hurt. But I know and can feel that it is there. I am sexually active but always use condoms. I have no other signs of any red bumps/sores any where else. Please tell me if there is a specific way to tell if this is something serious like Herpes or something. Can't afford a Dr.
Dear Sindee: Herpes - which is VERY common - usually strikes in a mucus environment e.g. Eye, Mouth, Pubic area. If yours is on your thigh and NOT anywhere near your anus or vagina. It could be so many things OTHER than and STD. It could be irritation from a new detergent, or chaffing from your underpants, jeans, the other thigh!!! Or your partner, might have accidently scratched you down there too. Use just plain water to was the area, and put polysporin on it. NOW if it is right outside your vagina that's another thing, any lesion in the pubic area is usually a sign of an STD especially herpes. Take a mirror and make sure this spot is only in the one place. If it is, you should be fine. Just keep it clean and covered in an anitbacterial cream. And don't have sex till it heals - because it will aggravate it. Good luck and health
That's great advice from the last poster. I'd like to add something that I think is really important. Don't assume anything. Have a professional look at it, regardless of the "normal" rusles about herpes. A lot of STDs are out there that have not yet been identified. I'm not trying to scare you, but don't take make decisions about your life and the life of others. The truth is, it's out of the ordinary for you, something caused it and you don't know exactly what it is. Don't guess here. In today's world you want to be careful. Get it checked and have some real peace of mind. Good luck !