itching spots, some blistering

[pa_prog]

Hi,

Please let me know if you have any idea what could be wrong with me!

Over the past week I have started getting some itchy spots scattered all over my body. First I got two on my inner thighs, then one by my knee, then one on each arm, one on my hand, one on my ankle, one on my back, etc. Most of them are not very itchy but are tiny, slightly red bumps. A few have evolved into small but painful blisters filled with clear pus. These ones I popped, sterilized, and covered with a band aid. I guess I probably have at least 15 of these spots now, and about 5 of them have gotten to be more itchy and more like blisters. A couple of the ones I popped have dried up an almost gone away. I think these first started 4 days ago, and I have gotten a few new ones each day.

I have genital herpes, and I first I was really worried that I was starting to get it in odd places. I have heard that you can transfer it from one part of your body to another, and the pus filled itchy blisters seemed awfully like it. But once I started finding bumps all over, this seemed not so likely. The bumps are just one here and one there, and not in clusters. Also, I am on daily Valtrex.

Other things that could affect this are 1) about 9 days ago I had a Tetanus booster; 2) I have been under a lot of stress lately; and 3) I had a deep tissue massage about 8 days ago. Maybe that wasn't good to have a deep tissue massage after receiving an immunization?

For the record, I have also checked my temperature, and I do not have a fever.

Should I be concerned about these bumps? Does it sound like anything that could be contagious? (I have worried about having close physical contact with my boyfriend since they started appearing.)

I do not really have a primary care physician right now. I have a gynecologist, but I feel odd about going to her with an all-over itchy bump problem.

Thank you very much for your help. Your site is very informative.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I do not think this is herpes.  First, it is not true that you can spread herpes by touching it.  Second, you are taking Valtrex, which would prevent an outbreak.

I suspect you may have bacterial impetigo.  This is not serious but is contagious and should be treated.  I advise you to see a doctor ASAP for evaluation and bacterial culture if appropriate.  Oral and topical antibiotics can clear up impetigo in a flash.

Any diagnostic doubt can be cleared up by a dermatologic consultation if needed.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[pa_prog]

I made one error in my posting ... The tetanus shot I got was 15 days ago; the deep tissue massage was 7 days ago. They were not one day right after another.

Another relevent oddity perhaps is that I had a swollen lymph node in my groin that also appeared in the last 2 weeks since the tetanus booster. (The shot was in my arm, not anywhere near the lower part of my body.) My doctor said to leave it alone and see if it is still there in a couple of weeks. It seems like it has gotten smaller, if not yet normal size.

Thanks again. I feel that I've been worrying about my health a lot lately, though except for these oddities, it seems fine.