Question:
for a couple months now, i have had constant short red marks on my inner thighs, mainly my left one. I feel no pain and they never disappear. could this be herpes or just due to a weight gain?

Answer:
doesn't sound like herpes at all. small clusters of itchy bumps and blisters are typical for herpes. you can find many images on the internet and herpes websites.
Herpes doesn't hang out on your skin for months at at time either. New stretch marks are often pink or reddish...Stay healthy...

Answer:
That sounds almost like what I'm experiencing.

So herpes doesn't stay red for long periods of time? Mine has been red to slightly pink for months as well, but just a few days ago it started burning.

Answer:
I pm'd this person. Unlikely she has the herpes pox... but hey with this crud..I never say never :roll: When people post here we offer them our opinions only... Some people have no idea what herpes lesions look like and are just curious..I always tell folks to check with a doctor...I'm in the medical profession plus I've had herpes for over 20 years.. see.. she thought she had active herpes.. really sounds like she has stretch marks...active herpes does not stay your skin for months without any changes in appearance...does not cause the constant short, red linear streaks she describes... she had no itching or burning either. herps can leave flat, red or pink marks on the skin after active lesions heal over. You may continue to experience itching and tingling on your "pink marks" where your lesions have healed because herpes affects the nerve endings in your skin. A word of caution.. new outbreaks have a tendency to pop up in the same old areas... so if you are tingling...you may be shedding or ready to break out.Take care

Answer:
The strange thing is I never noticed any lesions in these red/pink areas. Maybe they were too small to notice? I know that symptoms vary.

I also find it strange that it came about so gradually. I don't really remember a major initial outbreak. I've had the marks for months and a couple days ago was the first time they really burned or itched. After a long shower and some antibiotic cream the burning lessened and today is about gone, but it's still really red and I see what appears to be a couple 'hair bumps' on my right thigh.

I'm hoping they'll still be there tomorrow so the Dr. can make an accurate diagnosis. Going by everything I've read and seen it doesn't look good.

Answer:
Yep... I know what cha mean jc. Alot of people never develop any herpes lesions at all..but are surprised to find out they are Herpes positive by blood test.. :o Your thigh bumps might be caused by folliculitis..a bacterial or fungal infection of hair follicles from shaving that causes itching and irritation. It's natural once you are diagnosed with herpes, to suffer anxiety over every skin eruption..because you hear and read about so many different stories...not everyone shows the typical symptoms...If you're the type who doesn't get the predictable recurrences of blisters and sores ....you often feel very uncertain at times...am I having an outbreak? you just don't know what to expect with this disease when you're asymptomatic. It can be very stressful.

Answer:
I'm glad I haven't gotten any blisters or had any long-lasting pain/itching yet. That one day was hell though.

I'm wondering, is the rash typically flaky or peeling? I'm starting to wonder whether this is herpes or jock itch. I've seen many pictures of both conditions that look similar to my rash, which is on the upper thigh and I think on the anal area (sometimes it burns).

Guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Answer:
HAHAHA...I thought you are a lady hence the shaving legs reference....DOH! Fungal infections and types of dermatitis can get red and flaky...good luck at the doc's today :wink:

Answer:
On the subject of skin conditions that are confused with herpes simplex...I'm reminded of a story about a patient who had a condition called dermatitis herpetiformis THis conditon is NOT caused by HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS...but is called by such because the lesions are itchy and very closely resemble herpes pox. The rash appears over different parts of the body.. and unfortunatley is chronic if left untreated. The condition is thought to be caused by an allergy to GLUTEN which is the protein found in wheat. After treatment with meds and a gluten-free diet, patients recover.