bumps and then rash

[frankyyanky1]

Four weeks I noticed 3 slightly raised red bumps on my abdomen. One was raised slightly more than the other two, it kind of looked like a bug bite. They are right were my pubic hair thickens below my navel. The big one was pink and shiny. I have not been able to keep my fingers away unfortunately and they just won't go away. They are not a cluster, nor do they ever hurt or itch. They don't appear to be a blister either. I couldn't tell at first, but they each appear to have a hair either in the middle, or directly to the side of the reddened area. But the bump is not necessarily centered on them. Now I am developing a small reddish patch below them where again the hair follicles appear slightly inflamed. Should I be concerned about this? They appear to be getting better slowly, but why haven't they improved much or changed in 4 weeks? Could this be folliculitis? I get zits on my chest in the hair and sometimes on my legs. I'm told this isn't acne in this location, but actually known as folliculitis. The ones in my pubic hair area however have never formed heads at all. They just started out red and slightly swollen, most have gone down, but still red.

These bumps seem to be in the area where my jeans hit when I sit, and I sit a lot for work. I also tend to be sweaty down there. Also, they never form a head like it might do elsewhere on my body. Is this skin (on my lower abdomen) so different?

So though they are no longer raised, just red, but now below the bumps I have developed a patch of red, bumpy looking skin. Almost scaly?  Though I'm not sure about the correct descriptive terminology. Its a small patch, around the size of a dime.  It started about 2 and a half weeks after I noticed the bumps.  This has never itched at all or hurt. The follicles here appear to be inflamed, but what do I know?  It, like the bumps, seem better in the morning then redder at different times throughout the day, like when I get hot and sweaty.

So I finally got in yesterday to see my doctor.  He hardly looked at the remains of the bumps.  He did ask me if I had had close contact with anybody new recently.  I haven't, I have not had sex since October.  Then he said the newer patch appeared to be some sort of contact dermatitis and gave me a Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropionate.

I am obsessed about the possiblity of herpes, though logically I know it probably isn't.  Those bumps were separated and never blistered or even formed a head.  I am working on the assumption that they were a folliculitis or other irritation.  But that other newer patch is odd.  Could it be the same thing and he just gave me the stuff cuz he didn't know what to do?  Or possibly a reaction to the neosporing I've been using on the bumps?  Wow, 4 weeks is a long time for the redness?

Sorry this is confusing.  Thanks in advance.

[frankyyanky1]

Thank you doctor.  I can accept that.  Thanks again for your time.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

My rationale is simply that the way you describe your symptoms does not suggest herpes to me.  I guess that's about the most I can say at this distance.

Dr. Rockoff

[frankyyanky1]

Thank you very much doctor.  I'm surprised if folliculitis lasts this long (the specific spots).  I'll drop the anxiety about herpes, and go to someone other than my general doc if it persists.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Not her[es is likely.  Please let a professional look at it, if you really want to know.

Dr. Rockoff

[frankyyanky1]

do you have a rationale for your thoughts?  Or are you too busy?  Either way I thank you for your time.

[frankyyanky1]

I guess I'm also wondering if it means something that the hair isn't necessarily centered on the spot of irritation.  Its involved in the bump, but sometimes off to one side or the other.  Also I seem to be responding quite well to the cream, does this signify not herpes?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It isn't herpes.  It also isn't a contact dermatitis.  It may be folliculitis, or it may be molluscum, a viral skin condition which is usually not sexually transmitted or contagious, even though you may read that it can be.  In any case, you need to see a doctor who knows about skin for definitive diagnosis, reassurance, and treatment if needed.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff