Genital Pimples vs. Herpes: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Verywell Health
Pimples occur when oil and bacteria become trapped in hair follicles under the skin. They can appear anywhere, including in the genital area. Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) (also called a sexually transmitted disease, or STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes causes outbreaks of genital sores that disappear in days or weeks. At times, these genital sores can be mistaken for pimples. Both pimples and herpes sores can be red, have a discharge, and disappear on their own in a few days. Herpes sores, however, tend to be larger and redder, and they can turn into painful blisters that can break open and take a few weeks to heal. Herpes outbreaks can also include flu-like symptoms.4 This article covers the differences between genital pimples and genital herpes. Hero Images/Getty Images Symptoms Genital pimples and herpes can have similar symptoms, but there are also key differences between the two conditions. Genital...