Infection since i was 14, really need help..

Okay, im not sure as to what exactly this is, but im going to do my best to describe.

Currently i do not have medical insurance so i cannot have this checked out due to that.

I've had these red bumps on my chest for some time now. Im currently 20, and if i can remember right, i've had them since i was around 14. They started out as bumps under my skin that were very painful to the touch, and then surfaced as a "red bump" about the size of a pea. Eventually of some time they would grow a head on them and i would try and pop them, thus making it more painful and sometimes worse. Currently they are itching and really sore to the touch. Im not sure as to what they are, i've just always thought that it was acne, but i fear that it may be something more. My girlfriend thinks that they're cysts that are growing under my skin on my chest.

When i was a freshmen in high school i played football at a school that i dont believe steralized their equipment very well. I've noticed the issue shortly after playing there.

I really would like to know how i can treat this. It's become painful, and has caused problems with me have security in taking my shirt off. Anything would help, thanks so much.

This is a current picture of what its looking like right now, if you look near the bottom of my pecks, there is a scab from one that i've popped.

[choccy]

My son had this when he was younger on the left side of his chest. he was diagnosed with Molluscum Contagiosum. It's a virus. Its common especially on young boys or young adult men. They usually go away on there own but can take a few years. popping them can leave scars. This maybe what you have. if you go to google pictures and type in Molluscum Contagiosum you can see several cases of it. There are lots of ideas and tips on the net of how to deal with them. I hope this helps.

[charmin1130]

Thanks for the response! Never would have even been able to come across this. Im going to look into it some and hopefully find some more information. Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like infected hair follicles and boils. Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin.It starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. I suggest you to get an examination done from a dermatologist and bacterial culture of the pus or discharge from these bumps. Treatment is diagnosis specific.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.