bumps on my thighs that turn black

[ledzeppelin]

For some time now i have been getting small and mildly painful bumps on my thighs. At first they start lightly red, like pimples, and when they "dry", they leave black marks on my skin. I tried squeezing a few and a black head comes out,  but the skin remains black or dark colored, or like a small skin-tone scar. I have only been getting them in my inner thighs, always in a different place, they started near my genital area but each new one that comes is farther appart from that area. I'll say that i get a new one once a month. What can this be and how can i treat it? How can i get rid of the marks that i already have? Its starting to look unplesant down there, beacuse so far i have about 8 marks.

Thank you in advance for your answers.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I can only guess, but I think you may have folliculitis (blocked pores) that are leaving dark pigmentation from inflammation, aggravated by your squeezing the bumps.  I recommend that you leave the bumps alone, apply an antibiotic like bacitracin daily, and show the spots to a doctor next time you go.  The marks may take 6-12 months to fade, but if you squeeze them, they never will.....

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Cathy956]

A related discussion, Black marks on my inner thighs was started.