What is this?

[ThJr]

Hi,

About a month ago I sat in a hot tub with a woman who is going through a divorce after 19  years of marriage.  I do not know her sexual history (but I do know what she told me).  I thought a relationship was in the works, but she apparently just wanted a moment of escape from her trials and tribulations.  She said that I was the first guy that she had been with since separating from her husband 2 years ago and that she never cheated on her husband.  We were in the hot tub for about five hours.  After a few hours, things in the hot tub got

[mem1900]

I have had a rash for approximately 36 hours. It statred in the morning on my hand and looked like a clump of small distinct bug bites, I just thought it was a little welt or something. I now have the small bumps all over my arms, legs, feet, hands, a few on my cheeks, and my waistline and they seem to be spreading. They are very itchy and went to a Dr. who didn't know what they were though possibly a viral rash, he only prescribed my zyrtec to help with itching. Do have any idea what could be causing these, I am 25 in good health and not taking any medications.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It doesn't sound like an STD.  I think your doctor was correct to identify the bumps as related to follicles.  You can get folliculitis from a hot tub, but bumps of that kind are much larger and redder and they come right away, not 2 weeks later.

I think the sensations you describe come from worry about the rash.  If I were you, I'd consult your doctor again.  Perhaps antibiotics by mouth or externally might be worth considering.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff