bumps on butt

Hi,

I have a question and it is driving me crazy because I just do not know what is wrong with me.  I have these bumps that are almost always on my butt.  They do not have a blister appearance, they look more like folliculitis type bumps, in some of the bumps you can see a little white head but no pus comes out, its more like a piece of a really thin white piece of skin/hair like thing comes out.  They are not itchy or really painful, however they are irritable when sitting on my butt for awhile, it tends to get achy.  This has been going on for several months now nearly nonstop.  I just do not know what to do anymore, its very annoying and embarrassing.  Could this be an allergy to something, I do not believe I have changed anything I've been using since they started appearing.  Can a skin allergy just develop like this out of no where?  I have been so concerned it is herpes, though it does not have any of the appearances of herpes.  Also, the bumps are mostly individual, they are not in a big cluster, they are more scattered around.  

Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination, confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but it can be folliculitis, contact dermatitis, rash due to friction rub with clothes, dermatitis (atopic, contact, allergic)or excessive sweating causing sweat dermatitis.

Folliculitis 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).

Please 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. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.