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What Do Spots In Groin Area And Arms Indicate?
Posted on
Sat, 6 Dec 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 6 Dec 2014
Answered on
Mon, 29 Dec 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : hello
Today I have spots on my groin and also on one of my arms. These are similar to spots which I had a number of weeks ago. I used antibacterial cream and anti fungal cream and they seemed to disappear after a few days but have returned. My vision is also blurry and in the past days I had a very high temperature and tiredness.
I had a massage in January. Only a massage. I have never used prostitutes or never had sex with my girlfriend or ex's without a condom. Always practiced safe sex. However as only skin to skin contact is required to contract herpes or warts I have been concerned since the massage that this may be a possibility. The girl who gave me the massage was a 'body to body' massage and she was nude but we did not have sex, just a massage. I admit it could still be risky but did not realise at the time.
About a week after this massage I started having to urinate more often and had raised temperature so I went to an STD clinic which advised me to wait for tests for a couple of months as not all would show so early. I passed all tests in March, all were negative. But I was not tested for herpes or warts as there were no blisters or spots then.
Spots have started to appear only in recent weeks and I am wondering if this can possibly be delayed herpes or warts. I went to 2 doctors who do not believe the spots or symptoms are related to herpes or warts. I now seek your opinion. Pics are attached.
In summary my symptoms are, periodically: (not continuous but returns sometimes)
- urinating more often
- blurry vision
- higher temperature
- tiredness
- at the very beginning i had a sharp pain on the tip of my penis but that did not return
- only very recently I have started to get spots on my groin and a rash like presence on my arm
I am concerned and would like your opinion. I have to wait until 19th January for the next possible appointment with a dermatologist so have no other options until then.
Thanks
Today I have spots on my groin and also on one of my arms. These are similar to spots which I had a number of weeks ago. I used antibacterial cream and anti fungal cream and they seemed to disappear after a few days but have returned. My vision is also blurry and in the past days I had a very high temperature and tiredness.
I had a massage in January. Only a massage. I have never used prostitutes or never had sex with my girlfriend or ex's without a condom. Always practiced safe sex. However as only skin to skin contact is required to contract herpes or warts I have been concerned since the massage that this may be a possibility. The girl who gave me the massage was a 'body to body' massage and she was nude but we did not have sex, just a massage. I admit it could still be risky but did not realise at the time.
About a week after this massage I started having to urinate more often and had raised temperature so I went to an STD clinic which advised me to wait for tests for a couple of months as not all would show so early. I passed all tests in March, all were negative. But I was not tested for herpes or warts as there were no blisters or spots then.
Spots have started to appear only in recent weeks and I am wondering if this can possibly be delayed herpes or warts. I went to 2 doctors who do not believe the spots or symptoms are related to herpes or warts. I now seek your opinion. Pics are attached.
In summary my symptoms are, periodically: (not continuous but returns sometimes)
- urinating more often
- blurry vision
- higher temperature
- tiredness
- at the very beginning i had a sharp pain on the tip of my penis but that did not return
- only very recently I have started to get spots on my groin and a rash like presence on my arm
I am concerned and would like your opinion. I have to wait until 19th January for the next possible appointment with a dermatologist so have no other options until then.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
I have a few suggestions to help diagnose you sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand how you must be feeling frustrated about your symptoms and how your doctors feel you do not have any STDs. But please understand that from the attached images, herpes is indeed unlikely.
Although I should say that all the mentioned symptoms are quite possibly either related to a urinary tract infection (UTI) or some sexually transmitted infection. In my opinion there are two possible scenarios which I shall present to you:
1. A UTI can be related to all the symptoms mentioned except for the rash. The rash could have another source (e.g. shaving the region, dermatitis caused by moisture accumulating in the region and friction caused by your inner garments, fungal infection, etc.)
2. An STD which has gone undetected.
Now, what I would recommend is the following:
+A repeat STD panel that should include all the infections (HIV, herpes 1 and 2, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis A and C, etc.
+A urine culture and sensitivity examination which will help in confirming the infection as well as confirming the infection-causing organism. This information will prove to be very helpful as it can prove whether or not a UTI could be the cause. If at all a UTI is confirmed, then we can assume that the rash (spots) are caused due to another reason unrelated to an STD
+Penile swab test
Please request your doctor for the above mentioned investigations, as this would help to more accurately confirm the diagnosis and cause for your symptoms. The urine culture and sensitivity examination will also help by providing us with a list of most effective medications that will help us to treat the infection rapidly and completely.
I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you sir. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you sir.
Best wishes.
I have a few suggestions to help diagnose you sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand how you must be feeling frustrated about your symptoms and how your doctors feel you do not have any STDs. But please understand that from the attached images, herpes is indeed unlikely.
Although I should say that all the mentioned symptoms are quite possibly either related to a urinary tract infection (UTI) or some sexually transmitted infection. In my opinion there are two possible scenarios which I shall present to you:
1. A UTI can be related to all the symptoms mentioned except for the rash. The rash could have another source (e.g. shaving the region, dermatitis caused by moisture accumulating in the region and friction caused by your inner garments, fungal infection, etc.)
2. An STD which has gone undetected.
Now, what I would recommend is the following:
+A repeat STD panel that should include all the infections (HIV, herpes 1 and 2, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis A and C, etc.
+A urine culture and sensitivity examination which will help in confirming the infection as well as confirming the infection-causing organism. This information will prove to be very helpful as it can prove whether or not a UTI could be the cause. If at all a UTI is confirmed, then we can assume that the rash (spots) are caused due to another reason unrelated to an STD
+Penile swab test
Please request your doctor for the above mentioned investigations, as this would help to more accurately confirm the diagnosis and cause for your symptoms. The urine culture and sensitivity examination will also help by providing us with a list of most effective medications that will help us to treat the infection rapidly and completely.
I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you sir. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you sir.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor XXXXXXX for your detailed response.
I have some follow up questions for clarification.
I forgot to mention that I already did 2 sets of STD tests. One set in March and then another in XXXXXXX as I felt something may have been missed in the 1st round. But all were negative.
The only tests not completed were for herpes and warts. This is because the doctor at the clinic said these are tested clinically or by observation of sores / spots. I did not have any sores/spots when my tests were carried out. They only appeared recently. When they appeared a few weeks ago I went to the STD clinic for the 3rd time and the doctor said she believes this to be a fungal or bacterial infection and does not look like herpes or warts. I also went to a General Doctor (non STD specialist) who also feels it is not herpes or warts.
At this stage I have very little options as I cannot seek another round of STD tests as the same doctor has already seen me 3 times. Do you recommend me going to another city or country or a private clinic? I live in a small city and there is only one specialist STD clinic.
Also for the UTI's, what causes these? Can they cause the spots on my groin? And can they disappear and return more than once without being a viral STD? I technically do not have a 'rash', it is more like spots on my groin and now some also on my arm.
If I do have a UTI how is this treated?
Thank you again. I look forward to your response.
I have some follow up questions for clarification.
I forgot to mention that I already did 2 sets of STD tests. One set in March and then another in XXXXXXX as I felt something may have been missed in the 1st round. But all were negative.
The only tests not completed were for herpes and warts. This is because the doctor at the clinic said these are tested clinically or by observation of sores / spots. I did not have any sores/spots when my tests were carried out. They only appeared recently. When they appeared a few weeks ago I went to the STD clinic for the 3rd time and the doctor said she believes this to be a fungal or bacterial infection and does not look like herpes or warts. I also went to a General Doctor (non STD specialist) who also feels it is not herpes or warts.
At this stage I have very little options as I cannot seek another round of STD tests as the same doctor has already seen me 3 times. Do you recommend me going to another city or country or a private clinic? I live in a small city and there is only one specialist STD clinic.
Also for the UTI's, what causes these? Can they cause the spots on my groin? And can they disappear and return more than once without being a viral STD? I technically do not have a 'rash', it is more like spots on my groin and now some also on my arm.
If I do have a UTI how is this treated?
Thank you again. I look forward to your response.
Brief Answer:
UTI more likely, details provided sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
I completely understand how getting tested for an STD again would be difficult, and in such a scenario why don't we first confirm/rule out the UTI which would then make things more clear to us.
A UTI is commonly caused due to the following reasons:
+Poor hygiene
+Sexual intercourse
+Medications
+Using birth control pills (in females)
+Kidney stones
+Lowered immune system
+Prostate abnormalities
+Having some kind of obstruction in the urinary or renal tract
+Catheter use
and a few other causes.
Yes, some urinary tract infections (especially seen with fungal causes for the UTI) can cause spots in the groin region.
Yes, they can recur (as that is the more accurate term) especially in cases with abnormalities that are present and not treated (e.g. kidney stones, prostate enlargement, etc.).
UTIs are treated based on the cause, they can have a viral, bacterial or even a fungal source. For this reason I recommended the 'urine culture and sensitivity' test which will help in confirming the cause or source of the infection.
Let us first confirm or rule out the UTI and if at all the UTI has been confirmed then we need not worry about the STD. But if at all the UTI has been ruled out, we should consider the STD aspect again.
Just make sure you provide an early morning urine sample to the laboratory and also make sure you provide the sample to the laboratory only when you still have your symptoms and not when you are asymptomatic.
I hope you find my response helpful sir. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, and also do not hesitate to keep in touch with me, and update me about all the developments and reports.
Best wishes.
UTI more likely, details provided sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
I completely understand how getting tested for an STD again would be difficult, and in such a scenario why don't we first confirm/rule out the UTI which would then make things more clear to us.
A UTI is commonly caused due to the following reasons:
+Poor hygiene
+Sexual intercourse
+Medications
+Using birth control pills (in females)
+Kidney stones
+Lowered immune system
+Prostate abnormalities
+Having some kind of obstruction in the urinary or renal tract
+Catheter use
and a few other causes.
Yes, some urinary tract infections (especially seen with fungal causes for the UTI) can cause spots in the groin region.
Yes, they can recur (as that is the more accurate term) especially in cases with abnormalities that are present and not treated (e.g. kidney stones, prostate enlargement, etc.).
UTIs are treated based on the cause, they can have a viral, bacterial or even a fungal source. For this reason I recommended the 'urine culture and sensitivity' test which will help in confirming the cause or source of the infection.
Let us first confirm or rule out the UTI and if at all the UTI has been confirmed then we need not worry about the STD. But if at all the UTI has been ruled out, we should consider the STD aspect again.
Just make sure you provide an early morning urine sample to the laboratory and also make sure you provide the sample to the laboratory only when you still have your symptoms and not when you are asymptomatic.
I hope you find my response helpful sir. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, and also do not hesitate to keep in touch with me, and update me about all the developments and reports.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you doctor.
I will proceed with more tests but these cannot take place until January 9th 2015.
I have new spots today, including this time on my face.
Do these look like herpes to you. Herpes is my biggest concern.
I also have blurry vision but this symptom is not related to herpes? What else could cause this?
new pics attached.
Thank you
I will proceed with more tests but these cannot take place until January 9th 2015.
I have new spots today, including this time on my face.
Do these look like herpes to you. Herpes is my biggest concern.
I also have blurry vision but this symptom is not related to herpes? What else could cause this?
new pics attached.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis is difficult without investigations sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
I still do not think this is related to herpes and is a presentation that matches that of herpes. Although, there does appear to be some problem, some underlying condition for sure. For this I would first recommend a comprehensive blood panel which would point towards either an allergic reaction, infection, systemic condition, etc. Make sure the blood investigations include CBC, LFT, RFT, ESR, CRP, RA factor, ANA, eosinophil count, and others which your doctor feels comfortable.
The cause is still unclear; it could be erythema, lupus, etc. Only further investigations will help to find the exact cause.
Blurring of vision can be related to herpes type 1, but this is ocular herpes and is quite severe and presents with lesions on the eyes, which is not what you have. I would recommend you to schedule an appointment with your doctor for further evaluation and diagnosis of the cause as soon as this is possible.
I hope this helps sir. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best of luck sir.
Diagnosis is difficult without investigations sir
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
I still do not think this is related to herpes and is a presentation that matches that of herpes. Although, there does appear to be some problem, some underlying condition for sure. For this I would first recommend a comprehensive blood panel which would point towards either an allergic reaction, infection, systemic condition, etc. Make sure the blood investigations include CBC, LFT, RFT, ESR, CRP, RA factor, ANA, eosinophil count, and others which your doctor feels comfortable.
The cause is still unclear; it could be erythema, lupus, etc. Only further investigations will help to find the exact cause.
Blurring of vision can be related to herpes type 1, but this is ocular herpes and is quite severe and presents with lesions on the eyes, which is not what you have. I would recommend you to schedule an appointment with your doctor for further evaluation and diagnosis of the cause as soon as this is possible.
I hope this helps sir. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best of luck sir.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello doctor again
Just to let you know the feedback from my General Practitioner. He assessed me today with a microscope and magnifying glass and said it is 'absolutely not' herpes and not any STD in his opinion.
He prescribed antibiotics to me for the next 16 days and believes this will clear. Eventhough he is not sure exactly what it is or how I got it. I assume from his level of confidence after observation, that it is not herpes. (that is what I feared)
If the antibiotics do not work, I still have an appointment with the dermatologist and a round of repeat STD checks in January.
I am now happy to close this discussion.
Thank you for your input.
Just to let you know the feedback from my General Practitioner. He assessed me today with a microscope and magnifying glass and said it is 'absolutely not' herpes and not any STD in his opinion.
He prescribed antibiotics to me for the next 16 days and believes this will clear. Eventhough he is not sure exactly what it is or how I got it. I assume from his level of confidence after observation, that it is not herpes. (that is what I feared)
If the antibiotics do not work, I still have an appointment with the dermatologist and a round of repeat STD checks in January.
I am now happy to close this discussion.
Thank you for your input.
Brief Answer:
Awesome news
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Great news as I always say, a physical examination is the most important examination of all.
Although I stated in all my responses that your presentation was nothing like that of herpes, I still wanted you to get physically examined. Now that its done, I can rest assured that you shall be fine in no time.
My best wishes and lots of luck to you sir. I hope you found my responses helpful, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime in the future, I am always here to help.
Best of luck.
Awesome news
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Great news as I always say, a physical examination is the most important examination of all.
Although I stated in all my responses that your presentation was nothing like that of herpes, I still wanted you to get physically examined. Now that its done, I can rest assured that you shall be fine in no time.
My best wishes and lots of luck to you sir. I hope you found my responses helpful, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime in the future, I am always here to help.
Best of luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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