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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Bumpy Red Rash on Upper Buttock - Herpes?
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Bumpy Red Rash on Upper Buttock - Herpes?
by q1w2e3r4t5, Sep 08, 2004 12:00AM
Dr. Rockoff,
About 36 hours ago I noticed a really ugly looking rash on my upper right buttocks. There were three large, (well, two were large and one was tiny) circular, fairly hard red bumps-they felt like large mosquito bites to the touch, in a triangular pattern over an area of about 3 inches x 3 inches (about 1/2 inch - 1 inch space between each one). One got very large and inflamed,about the size of a dollar coin, though some of that might be due to me squeezing that one very hard and trying to lance it to see if there was fluid inside. (When I tried to cut it I was only able to get a little blood, then I gave up.) The other bumps were smaller but also very red and inflamed looking, one got to be a little smaller than a quarter and the third was small, like the size of a pimple. I have been washing them very often with soap and an acne soap, and they have shrunk since yesterday, but are still noticeably red,though smaller and less inflamed. No pain whatsoever,even when I squeezed the larger one, and no ulcers formed so far, mild itchiness, they never formed open ulcers, etc. The medium sized one now seems to have a scalloped-edged appearance as it starts to fade/heal. I thought I felt some tingling in the area earlier in the day, but only for like 30 seconds or so, not like the herpes prodrome that I've read about. I suppose it could have been a bug biting me too, though I never saw one. No fevers, no swollen glands. The only recent risk factor was a guy accidentally bumping into me in the locker room at a gym about 4 1/2 weeks ago(we were both naked) - but I'm not at all sure his genitals contacted my skin at all, (I think it was just his stomach area),plus, he bumped into me on the other side of my buttocks, not where the rash is now. I've read that herpes can occur on the buttocks, and much of the info on the net says that herpes can look different from the classic thin-walled blisters. Also, I would obviously go see a doctor but the bumps never became classic open herpes blisters so there was no obvious serous fluid to culture, and from what I've read, a visual diagnosis/blood tests might just make me worry more. Isn't this unusually fast for herpes lesions to at least START to heal, especially for a first outbreak? Also,I was sweating a lot the last few days, don't know if that has anything to do with it. I'm really scared and I don't know what to do. What is this?? Does this sound like herpes??
About 36 hours ago I noticed a really ugly looking rash on my upper right buttocks. There were three large, (well, two were large and one was tiny) circular, fairly hard red bumps-they felt like large mosquito bites to the touch, in a triangular pattern over an area of about 3 inches x 3 inches (about 1/2 inch - 1 inch space between each one). One got very large and inflamed,about the size of a dollar coin, though some of that might be due to me squeezing that one very hard and trying to lance it to see if there was fluid inside. (When I tried to cut it I was only able to get a little blood, then I gave up.) The other bumps were smaller but also very red and inflamed looking, one got to be a little smaller than a quarter and the third was small, like the size of a pimple. I have been washing them very often with soap and an acne soap, and they have shrunk since yesterday, but are still noticeably red,though smaller and less inflamed. No pain whatsoever,even when I squeezed the larger one, and no ulcers formed so far, mild itchiness, they never formed open ulcers, etc. The medium sized one now seems to have a scalloped-edged appearance as it starts to fade/heal. I thought I felt some tingling in the area earlier in the day, but only for like 30 seconds or so, not like the herpes prodrome that I've read about. I suppose it could have been a bug biting me too, though I never saw one. No fevers, no swollen glands. The only recent risk factor was a guy accidentally bumping into me in the locker room at a gym about 4 1/2 weeks ago(we were both naked) - but I'm not at all sure his genitals contacted my skin at all, (I think it was just his stomach area),plus, he bumped into me on the other side of my buttocks, not where the rash is now. I've read that herpes can occur on the buttocks, and much of the info on the net says that herpes can look different from the classic thin-walled blisters. Also, I would obviously go see a doctor but the bumps never became classic open herpes blisters so there was no obvious serous fluid to culture, and from what I've read, a visual diagnosis/blood tests might just make me worry more. Isn't this unusually fast for herpes lesions to at least START to heal, especially for a first outbreak? Also,I was sweating a lot the last few days, don't know if that has anything to do with it. I'm really scared and I don't know what to do. What is this?? Does this sound like herpes??
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Sep 08, 2004 12:00AM
, Sep 08, 2004 12:00AM
No, it doesn't. It sounds more like bites, or perhaps infected follicles. I think having a doctor look at it is more likely to be reassuring than trying to figure it out yourself on the web. I suggest you apply bacitracin or neosporin, avoid squeezing, and see a doctor.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by WorriedinJapan, Oct 06, 2004 12:00AM
I have this same condition and i have been very scared latley that i may have herpes. They are just bumps, and they arepainful tosit on sumtimes and itchy at somepoints. I have almost the exact same syptoms (symptoms) as u.They form hard knots under my skin at the area of the bump. Im scared togotot he hospital and what the doctor said it may be looks like more of what i may have. Im not sure tho. When i get the money to post a comment.Iwill place a picture here also for amore accurate diagnosis.
