reoccuring rash

[barkheart]

hi. i my boyfriend and i have been together for five months now and since i've been with him i've been the happiest i've been. the problem is that a few inches above my anus, right at the base of my tailbone, well more like on my tailbone but on the skin, i get a rash. i thought it was just from sweating during the summer bc that's when it first started. my boyfriend put ointment on it and it healed in a few days. i don't think it is from sweating anymore because it happens a week or so before my period begins. it starts out with small bumps...like zits almost, the area around it gets red but the area is about only half an inch in diameter. i did some research and the closest thing i could find was a cyst, but mine is not a single lump, it's no lump at all so i don't think it is a cyst. after the small zit like bups develope they do not pop like described for a cyst. it's almost like it tries to heel itself because i know when i get a scrape or cut the body produces a liquid to lubricate the area allowing it to heel, that's kinda what goes on here. within the first day of it reoccuring the small little bumps start to produce a liqid. it's clear, not white like puss, it does not have an oder, but it is sticky and will harden like a liquid bandage. it also does not ooze a reddish pickish liquid like a cyst.  i don't know if this would have anything to do with it, but my mom said when i was little i had worms, and scabbies because i was such a dirty child...could it be something caused from that? i wouldn't be so worried about this except for the fact that it comes back once a month before my period.. does it have something to do with my period? the entire length of time the cycle of this small rashlike thing is about a week. i also started wearing thongs this summer and i continue to wear them occassionally.....could this be a cause for the rash? could it be because my boyfriend spreads my butt cheeks apart during sex?.....i don't much about what it is, but i know it first appeared after i began sleeping with my boyfriend. i don't think it's an STD... but could it be? please give me an answer, several if you cannot pin point the exact diagnosis. thank you for your help and bless your heart.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

The chances that this is an STD are minimal.

There could be several causes for the symptoms you are having. You should reconsult with your doctor to rule out the following possible causes -

'Perfumes, chemicals, or dye on toilet paper can cause an allergic reaction.

Moisture from sweat or diarrhea may cause itching. If the anal skin stays wet, the skin begins to break down.

Some foods irritate the anus when they are expelled during a bowel movement. The most common culprits are caffeine, chocolate, beer, nuts, dairy products, and spicy food.

Infections such as pinworms, yeast, and genital warts can cause itching.

Hemorrhoids, which cause painful swelling of blood vessels in the anal area, can cause itching.

Cancer, in rare instances, may be a cause.'

There are certain factors which predispose to the risk of developing anal itching as a symptom.

'Factors that put people most at risk for anal itching are as follows:

Diabetes

Recent antibiotic use

Chronic dry skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrhea

Profuse sweating.'

Do discuss these with your doctor and exclude any possible causes in your case.

Post us if you need any further information and let us know about how you are doing.

Regards.

[Khirodh]

Hi there.
Do not worry. What you are describing is normal and not due to a STD. It is not related to your periods at all though you may have been noticing a pattern. The fluid that you are describing is a transudate which is watery and is similar to cystic fluid but thinner in consistency. What I can diagnose is that it is a sort of a pressure sore as it is occurring around the tip of your tailbone. This may be due to constant rubbing of the skin around the tailbone between the bone and any hard thing like your boyfriends body during sex. This happens more in people with soft skin. Nothing to worry about. You may have been noticing it more during your periods because you are not having sex.

Regards,
Khirodh