Genital Herpes vs Pimples: How to Tell the Difference

Genital Herpes vs Pimples: How to Tell the Difference

“Uh-oh.” We all have “uh-oh” moments from time to time. Like when you fumble in your pockets and can’t find your keys. Or when you’re sitting in traffic and you can’t remember if you turned the stove off. However, no one wants to experience an “uh-oh” moment in regard to their sexual well-being. Finding bumps on or around the genitals, though, can certainly be alarming for sexually active individuals. And it’s understandable why they may wonder if they have an STD. Here, we’ll explain a few ways you can handle such a situation, and outline the difference between how genital herpes vs pimples appear:

Genital Acne

Most people are familiar with acne (pimples, zits, etc.), even if they don’t expect to find it on their pubic region. Nevertheless, it’s possible for pimples and other pustules to pop up around your genitals. Any time dirt or oil blocks your skin pores, pimples can form. As such, practices like wearing tight-fitting underwear, working out (and sweating), or not bathing regularly can contribute to pimples forming. Pimples are red, filled with white pus, and though they may sting a bit when ruptured, they heal relatively quickly and don’t leave scars (typically).

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes, or HSV-2, can bear a striking resemblance to pimples in many instances. Herpes can appear as small red bumps on or around the genitals. One subtle difference between herpes and the common pimple is the color of the “pus” –– which in herpes may appear yellowish or clear as opposed to white. Furthermore, herpes bumps tend to hurt a lot after they burst, and may not heal for weeks at a time. (Additionally, this may cause scarring.) Lastly, genital herpes may also manifest in other ways, including:

• Sores in the mouth
• Sores on or around the anus
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever

How to Handle Genital Bumps

Bumps on or around the genitals may or may not be the result of an STD. They could be pimples, zits, ingrown hairs, or razor burn. But then again, they could be the result of a harmful STD. In truth, many people who contract an STD never realize it –– particularly since STDs like herpes spreads so easily from person to person. Indeed, often STD symptoms are mild or nonexistent, and they tend to lessen over time. Still, STDs can cause all sorts of medical issues if left untreated. And it’s worth noting here that individuals with herpes are more likely to contract HIV. Even if your symptoms are mild or disappear over time, it doesn’t mean you’re “in the clear.” The only way to know for sure is to get tested.