Molluscum or folliculitis?

[JonArbuckle]

I recently found red bumps in the pubic hair area. They didn't seem like ordinary ingrown hairs, and I was concerned that they were molluscum. The other day in the shower, I opened a couple of them up while scrubbing with a washcloth, and they bled a little. I tried looking for the white core that a molluscum might have, but found nothing and stopped because it hurt. Now those ones are starting to scab a little bit. I've also noticed some have a few hairs poking out of a few of them and a lot of redness surrounding them. I have a few questions-

Could hair ever penetrate a molluscum lesion?
Would a molluscum lesion open up and bleed so easily?
If they were in fact molluscum, how long until the bleeding makes more appear?
Does this sound more like molluscum or folliculitis?

[dude33]

dude there probley from shaving. ingrown hair try not to pick at them if they dont go away i guess u could contact ur docter

[jagesh50]

Most like folliculitis.Antibiotics applied externally help much.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms of hair sticking out of the bump is suggestive of folliculitis. 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).

Pls keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove.Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful.In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Warm regards.

[JonArbuckle]

Thanks for the responses. Most of the ones that had hairs coming out of them bled a little and scabbed up. The one that concerns me most has no hair coming out of it, and it looks like it may have gotten a little bigger. I'm probably going to have it looked at next week, but what is the likelihood of folliculitis being painless and having no obvious hair? Also, I read somewhere that molluscum *never* have a hair coming out of them, but I question the source. Is this true?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The MC rash initially appears as smooth, pearly to flesh-colored, dome-shaped papules. With time, the center becomes soft and indented (umbilicated) with a white curdlike core. This core may be squeezed out easily.I have not seen hair sticking out of molluscum lesions.

It is also true that folliculitis may have hair sticking out of them but it is not true for every lesion.I would suggest you to try the topical treatment and if the symptoms persist then get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.

[JonArbuckle]

Thanks for your continued help. Anyway, one of the bumps opened while washing, and a hair came out, so clearly that one was an ingrown. The big one that I mentioned in the last post did as well, although no hair came off. A layer of skin just kind of rubbed off and it bled a little. I'm going to go ahead and assume that folliculitis is the right assumption. It's strange to me, though, as to why so much of it would pop up at once, especially since it appeared after I had stopped shaving for a few months.

[jdeh]

If they're growing, spreading, and bleed a lot when you pop them (along with white waxy substance) and they're harder than a mole, then you have molluscum contagiosum.  To be sure have one biopsied by a dermatologist. Until then try tea tree oil or benzoyl peroxide cream. If you pop one make sure ALL of the stuff inside is removed and disinfect well with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Apply neosporin to prevent spreading and to aid in healing of the popped molluscum. If its definitely molluscum you can have your dermatologist freeze them off (if its not directly on your genitals) before it spreads to other parts of your body.