butt rash/red bumps

Hi,

I woke up this morning with a rash on the inside of my butt cheek. It doesn't hurt, and it's not itchy either.
It just looks like 5 little red bumps.

I'm worries it could be a first appearance of herpes?

Please let me know what you think.
Thank you

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the first possibility is of irritated hair follicles or folliculitis. It does not sound like herpes because it presents 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. 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.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.