Red Bump On Butt Cheek In-Grown Hair?

[gatlboy]

I developed a red bump on my left butt cheek approximately 3 weeks ago. It's been very painful. It finally broke and some fluid drained out. I went to a walk-in clinic, and they suspected an in-grown hair, but could not rule out other posibilities. The bump has now formed a scab, but continues to drain a clear/yellowish fluid and remains very painful. I've had the scab 4 days now. Are these remaining symptons typical of an in-grown hair? Even though it now has a scab, it doesn't seem to be healing with the continual drainage of fluid. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Although from your symptoms,it looks like a boil,but it is important to rule out herpes sores which may present in a similar way. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak.

The only way of ruling it out is by getting yourself tested for genital herpes. Laboratory tests include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get it ruled out.

I hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[gatlboy]

I have gone in and had lab work done to rule-in / rule-out herpes. Waiting on the lab results to come back. In the interm, they have prescribed Keflex. I have noticed since being on Keflex, that I feel like I'm fighting a body cold; ie. chills, sore msucles/joints, especially in the legs. Could this be a side effect of Keflex? Or related to my initial bump/rash? or totally unrelated? Any insight would be appreciared.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Arthral;gia and fatigue are common adverse effects of cephalexin(Keflex) but chills is not a common side effect.If however there is any dizziness, fatigue, headache, agitation, confusion, hallucinations etc then pls get the prescription changed.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.