red bumps on torso

[vba]

Thanks in advance for answering my question. I have several red-ish/white bumps on the left side of my torso (two or three together in my upper pubic hair area toward stomach, although not in my genital area; one by my belly button, a group of 4 under my breast; one on my breast below the nipple and one at the top of my breast). the group of four i got several months ago and have been continuing to get more as time passes. i "popped" (i use the term pop loosely b/c it didn't really pop, shrink, deflate, etc.) one, thinking it was acne and it oozed a small amount of a white thick substance, but not pus. i then picked one and it it's clearly not acne and it's not a blister and hasn't developed into a blister of any kind. they just don't go away, fade or anything. i've put nothing on them and have basically left them alone (besides the first ones that i tried to pop/pick). if i do any kind of physical activity that results in sweating, they itch a bit, but not always. i had a general check up today and my dr. said they were skin tags. he asked if i kept getting more and i said yes. he said that usually happens and there's nothing i need to do about it unless i want to get them removed later. i came home and looked up more info. on skin tags and discovered they were brown (i've seen these "skin tags" on others and my red bumps don't look like these). also, there are no hairs growing out of the bumps. also, i am wondering if it's something like herpes (is that even possible? i just ask b/c of the clustered bumps on one side of my body--although i've never had unprotected sex and i don't have mouth or genital bumps/blisters). any help you can give would be great. thanks!

[amygirton]

A related discussion, Childen's WARTS was started.

[derma52]

I hope you have gone to see a dermatologist.  I have somehow contracted molluscum. I had NEVER heard of it, and think there should be literature available in dr's offices about it. They continue to spread.  I have had them frozen off, but they only spread to other areas (and I believe this was from shaving that they spread).  This has made me change all kinds of plans because I was suppose to travel sharing rooms and bathrooms with others, and there is no way I am going to risk giving this to other people. I'm sorry, but I think it is contagious.  I know I had to get it from someone.  I work with children that have all kinds of skin problems, and have only had one sexual encounter this year(and from reading info it can now considered a STD, yet I have never heard it mentioned, and since it can be, it should be made aware of), and hope it wasn't from that.  I also used to get facials and full body massages almost weekly.  I think they started on my face,  but I was unaware of what it was.  It just seems to be getting worse instead of better.  I know it may take months and from what I have read online, possibly years to get rid of it.  What I want to know, and what no one seems to be able to answer me, is will I ever be safe from giving it to someone? It has been 2 months.  I am calling my dr tomorrow to tell her I am not getting better. My one dr tells me it can only happen from skin-to-skin contact.  Yet, I read it can live on objects too.  I am totally confused with all the info I have read.  I am angry and depressed.  How are you?  What are your feelings?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

These aren't skin tags.  My guess (and it's at best only an educated guess) is that these are molluscum contagiosum warts.  The name is a misnomer--they aren't contagious.  Cause unknown, prognosis--spontaneous disappearance in 6-9 months, on average.  They can, however, be easily treated (freezing, acids, etc.)

I advise you to show a doctor for diagnosis, assurance, and quite possible, treatment.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff