Dear doctor,

I developed painless sores around the private parts, and now I have an unfamiliar smell. What type of infection could it be? Where could I get treatment?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

It has not been specified how long you have had these sores. Is it recent or present intermittently since long time? Painless sores around private parts can occur due to infections that are sexually acquired and transmitted.

Viral infections like herpes simplex, human papilloma virus can cause these kind of sores. Bacterial infections usually cause painful sores with or without discharge from private parts. Trichominiasis is a protozoal infection that can manifest as sores with profuse yellowish, watery foul smelling discharge.

If there was itching prior to development of sores, there is possibility of fungal infection which can cause discharge as well. Dampness makes one susceptible to fungal infections. The discharge may be profuse and thick curd like in case of candidiasis. Conditions that depress the body’s immunity like diabetes, HIV infection make one more prone to these infections.

One can have sores or blisters due to allergy to some body care product used locally. Secondary infection on the sores can cause pain and discharge. Eczema can occur over genital parts as anywhere in the body. This can manifest as painless sores or blisters. Later on due to some infection, discharge can occur.

Good hygiene during sex and use of condoms, helps to prevent these infections. It is good to pass urine and wash private parts after intercourse. This helps to prevent deposition of microbes over private parts.

Microscopic examination of the discharge can identify the causative organisms. All the infections causing genital sores and discharge are treatable by suitable antibiotic drugs. It is also important for the sexual partner to be treated at same time to stop the perpetual cycle of infection. Nylon undergarments should be avoided as they can cause allergy and irritation of the parts resulting in sores and infection.

One should try to stop the body care products used like deodorants, soap, etc. for some days. Relief of symptoms while not using a substance and relapse while reusing it implicates it in causing allergy and the sores.

Diabetes can be detected by a simple blood test. If positive it would need management.

Dr Rachna Pande  is a specialist in internal medicine at Ruhengeri Hospital