Female Body Concerns / Question
Published: July 24, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I'm an 18 year old guy. I've never had sex, but have had some sexual experiences, nothing big at all. For the last 3-4 months, I have had a red mark on my public area, on the edge of where my testicles start and my thigh. It doesn't really itch ever but I'm wondering what it is and if it will ever go away without the help of a doctor. I can't see how I would ever have any type of STD at all, but I do go tanning, and I heard rare stories of people acquiring things like this from tanning beds. Does this seem like something possible? And how do I get rid of this thing I've had for 4 months?
Signed: Red Mark on Pubic Area
Dear Red Mark on Pubic Area,
TeenHealthFX can't diagnose you over the Internet. However, if you are not sexually active and have never been it is highly unlikely that it is an STD you picked up somewhere. STDs are sexually transmitted which means that they are most often passed through sex (vaginal, anal or oral). Your red mark could be some type of rash indicating that you are allergic to something.
You may want to consider making an appointment with an Adolescent Medicine specialist who deals with these issues all the time. This way you can have an opportunity to get your concerns addressed and an accurate diagnosis of the mark. If you live in Northern New Jersey, please call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health at (973) 889.6475. If you feel you cannot go to your doctor about this, call your local Planned Parenthood. Try not to be embarrassed as your doctor deals with these types of issues all the time. This will ease your mind and your doctor may be able to prescribe something to help the rash go away.
As far as tanning beds go, TeenHealthFX strongly suggests you do not continue to visit them mostly due to the proven harmful effects of UV radiation. These booths are not a safe alternative to outdoor tanning. Overexposure to UV rays can cause eye injury, premature wrinkling of the skin, and light induced skin rashes, and can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. If you are earnestly looking for a "tan", you could try a self-tanning lotion or spray instead. They haven't been perfected yet, so choose carefully, as some will tend to leave streaks or turn your skin orange rather than tan.
So, see your doctor soon, and please stay out of the tanning salon - you'll feel better after you're evaluated, and your skin will thank you!
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 38% were speeding at the time of the crash and 24% had been drinking.
