Seeking Reassurance About Skin Issues
Hello everyone, I'm an 18-year-old female and I’m reaching out because I’ve discovered some circular, painful sores in my groin area — specifically where my underwear makes contact. I’m concerned that they might have started as ingrown hair bumps that turned into chafing after I wore snug biker shorts recently. To manage the discomfort, I treated them like regular chafing by washing the area with soap and applying petroleum jelly. Thankfully, in just four days, they have scabbed over and are nearly healed. I've recently started seeing someone new, but we make sure to practice safe sex, and to the best of our knowledge, neither of us has any STDs. In the past, I’ve dealt with chafing behind my knees, which felt quite similar in terms of pain, healing time, and scabbing. However, I find the shape and the location of these sores to be a bit alarming. Currently, I’m not on any medications and I haven’t experienced any additional symptoms. I’m feeling a bit anxious about this situation and I’ve found myself delving down a bit of a rabbit hole on Google. If anyone has advice or could provide some reassurance, it would mean a lot! Thank you!
Answers (1)
8/15/2025, 7:41:22 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing some discomfort from circular sores in your groin area that have scabbed over after a few days. While these sores may have started from ingrown hairs or chafing due to snug clothing, I understand your concerns, especially given their shape and location.
Explanation:
Circular sores in areas where there is friction, like the groin, are often caused by irritation from clothing or ingrown hairs, especially if you’ve recently worn tight-fitting shorts. The fact that they are healing well and have scabbed over is a good sign. It typically indicates that your body is recovering from the irritation or minor injury.
Next Steps:
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Continue Good Hygiene: Gently wash the area with mild soap and water daily. This keeps the area clean and reduces the risk of infection.
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Minimize Friction: Try wearing looser-fitting underwear or shorts to prevent further irritation. Fabrics such as cotton might be more comfortable and breathable than tighter materials.
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Moisturize if Needed: If the area feels dry or irritated, continue using a soothing cream or ointment, like petroleum jelly, to provide a protective barrier. However, avoid applying this too thickly, as it can trap moisture.
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Monitor Changes: Keep an eye on the sores. If they show signs of worsening—such as increased pain, redness, swelling, or discharge—this would warrant closer attention.
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Reassure Yourself: It’s great that you’re practicing safe sex and that your partner is also aware of potential STI risks. If you both maintain communication about your health and any symptoms, it will help alleviate anxiety.
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Limit Internet Searching: While it’s natural to seek information, excessive searching can lead to increased anxiety. Focus on what you observe about your own body, rather than generalized information online.
If the sores do not heal completely or if new ones appear, it may be helpful to seek further guidance. Remember, healing can take time, and it sounds like you're already on the right track. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out!
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