Concerned that red spots might not be bug bites

[BlueLeaf]

I have lots of red pimple-like spots on my lower abdomen, upper thighs, and a line of them up both sides of my abdomen up to my arm pits. Nothing on upper abdomen and chest, except a cluster of them of both areolas only. My doctor and dermatologist think they're bug bites, although they don't look like any of the bug bite photos I've found on the web. What's concerning me are the ones around my nipples. They aren't anywhere else on my breasts, which seems strange if it was a bug. They are very sore and my breasts feel very heavy. A few of the spots have white heads. This showed up 2 mornings ago and more appeared during the first day. I haven't had any new ones in the last day. Not pregnant. Any ideas?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
They can be boils, impetigo or herpes zoster blisters. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. Impetigo is a highly contagious superficial bacterial skin infection; primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus and sometimes by Streptococcus pyogenes. Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days.

I suggest you to discuss these three possibilities with your dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Rucnfun]

hey my daughter had what you are describing and she actually had a biopsy done because she had so many of them and kept getting them! it's called bullous impetigo. it could be bullous or non-bullous impetigo just depending how severe the case is, but google impetigo and see if it looks like it. my daughters were raised red bumps with whiteheads...the hibaclens scrub really helps clear it up you wash the spots with it in the shower, you can get it at your pharmacy. good luck