I get quite a few e-mails each week about what exactly herpes sores or herpes blisters feel like, what they look like, and how to tell the difference between any other genital type sore or blister. I wish I had an exact answer for you but I think I can narrow it down.
Herpes Blisters:
The difficult thing with HSV2 is that the symptoms of herpes can vary so much from person to person. While it is quite possible to have a rash that includes a cluster of smaller blisters, in my experience (and it is my blog!), 80% of my outbreaks consist of a single blister or sore. I can feel it a few days before it’s arrival. The skin or the mucous membrane becomes extremely sensitive to the touch and there will be an almost unbearable itch exactly where the sore will appear.
It usually starts out as a lump under the skin and as it starts to push out it becomes very sore and swollen. This is the most painful and difficult part for me. I often use tea tree oil mixed with olive oil to take away the bulk of the symptoms.
Herpes Sores:
As the herpes outbreak continues to push out through the skin you will notice (if you are looking) a fluid filled sore that is still quite painful but perhaps less so at this point. I am feeling more comfortable at this stage because I know if will just be a matter of time before the sore opens and healing can begin. Because I am using what works for me (tea tree oil, vitamin E) during the different stages of the outbreak, I really do feel that I drastically speed up my outbreak time from probably 10 – 12 days down to 5 – 6 days.
It is rare for me to have an outbreak that lasts longer than a week start to finish.
I hope I have given you enough information here to recognize herpes blisters and/or herpes sores (they are the same thing), and to realize what are NOT HSV blisters or sores. Yeast infection symptoms (itching, burning, redness throughout the entire vagina and labia area); vaginal impetigo which does NOT hurt and is not sore; ingrown hairs which can actually look like herpes outbreaks but feel much more like a skin blemish and are most often easily burst (it is very difficult to burst a herpes sore and I would never recommend it as it can become infected and scarring can result. Plus it does nothing to speed up healing); and any number of other genital skin conditions that may resemble herpes but are not.
Take care.
No related posts.
Hi, I am very confused with my symptoms, and this is the FIRST thing I’ve come across that even sounds somewhat similar to what I’m experiencing — after HOURS of Googling!
I experienced EXTREME itching and tingling a couple of weeks ago, and then last week started getting large tender 2 somewhat large “lumps” under the skin on one side of my vaginal lip and closer to my anus. Then a 3rd lump appeared. A few days ago, one of the lumps started becoming a blister on top of the skin. It got to the point after a couple of days that it looked like a red bubble on top of the skin. I went to my OBGYN, and she said that herpes does not present like a lump under the skin that rises to the surface. But from what your post seems to say, that’s how your herpes have presented? She also said that she couldn’t swab it because it was under the skin. She took a blood test for all STDs, and it came back negative for everything. (However, if I just contracted herpes, the antibodies wouldn’t have had time to develop yet, so that blood test is not very helpful.)
Last night, the blister burst and blood came out. I went to the doctor today, but she wasn’t sure what it was. I am VERY NERVOUS (basically, I’m freaking out), and just looking for some insight. Does this sound at all like what you have? Also, about how large are your bumps that are under the skin?
Some of my symptoms seem like typical herpes symptoms (i.e., the intense itching and tingling), but others don’t (i.e., the bump starting under the skin and bursting blood) so I’m confused. I saw a dr and she was stumped too. She swabbed it, but I have to wait a week for those results, and in the meantime, I am FREAKING out!!!
In advance, thanks so much for any insight you can give me!
Is there any way that a herpes blister can contain an ingrown hair within it? Or would that just be an ingrown hair?
I would say that an ingrown hair can grow anywhere – so yes it is possible for an ingrown hair to embed within a herpes blister. My personal experience has been that a) sometimes I just have ingrown hairs or b) I can have an ingrown hair issue a week after the healing of any herpes blister – I don’t think I have ever had a full blown outbreak and ingrown hair issue at the same time. I know it can be confusing – but ingrown hairs typically just itch – my herpes blisters or sores are painful, burn, and itch. There is a bit of a difference. It took me a few experiences, but now I for sure know the difference. Better safe than sorry though. If you aren’t sure – wait until everything is healed – no matter what it is. Be well.
Hello,
I have a very similar redish bump on the foreskin of my penis, It has been there well over 6 months, sometimes looks like just dry skin patch but when i stretch skin it looks more like a sore or white and red blister, Does a herpes blister/sore ever last over 6 months?? it has never ruptured or hurt or even itched really, it doesnt quite appear to be fluid filled…when stretched it looks like 2 small white circles right next to each other kind of in the shape of a small “L”, ….I am seeking help from a doctor just curious if anyone knows the longest a herpes blister/sore lasts ???
After have GH for a year I’ve noticed that I get WAY more ingrown hairs then I used to. (the are diffiatly ingrown hairs) Waxing/shaving… No matter what I do there are always are ingrown hairs! Does anyone else experience this?