bites that look like whitehead pimples

[ljm0614]

I recently moved about three weeks ago and during the last week I've been waking up with these "bites" on my legs that look like whitehead pimples. They are sore and they itch but I don't know what is causing them. I changed the sheets on my bed twice and I shower everyday but I still seem to be getting more.
The only time I've ever experienced something similar is when I lived in New Hampshire and a spider bit me twice on my leg. They looked just like two whitehead pimples but by the end of the day my entire leg went numb and anytime something touched it I had throbbing pain throughout my leg. I had to go on crutches for the next 24 hours.
But the pain associated w/these 'bites' isn't nearly as severe but just as annoying. Btw, I put bites in quotations because I really don't know if they are technically bites but I've ruled out razor burn and I don't know what else it could possibly be. Any ideas?

[ljm0614]

Thank you very much. I ended up going to the emergency room last week because the swelling and pain got to be too much and I was told it was folliculitis like you had suggested. They prescribed me a mild pain killer and two strong antibiotics and it is nearly cleared up now and I don't think it will leave a scar thankfully. I didn't think an infection like that could get so bad! I have seen small little whiteheads like that before when I had shaved and that's what I thought you might be referring to when you spoke of the folliculitis but this was nothing like that! I'm just glad it's gone now but I have an idea as to how it started.
This is a little embarrassing but I'm hoping by putting this out there that I might save someone else the embarrassment. Like everyone else right now, I was feeling the money crunch and was using my shaving razors for longer than I normally would have. I believe as a result that they eventually became infected w/bacteria and the next time I shaved, I infected myself with it. So, no matter how tight things are, make sure you replace your blades regularly or make sure they are sanitized properly.
Why are those things so damned expensive in the first place?

[spartas]

I have bites on my legs that have a white dot in the middle. The skin around the bite the is red and sore and hurts when I touch it. At times my leg feels numb and I keep getting a tingling feeling in it. I have changed my bed sheets, have hot showers everyday and change my clothes daily but I keep getting bites. I thought it was fleas AS I have two cats but I don't let them in my room so it can't be. Do you know what it could be

[akmomlady]

I've been getting spider bites-confirmed by the VA and by the exterminator (house was sprayed 7 times and bombed 3 times in the last year) We put down glue boards and found out that they are wolf spiders. The exterminator thinks they are in the structure so the only way to get rid of them is to tear the house down. I've had over 400 bites in the last 4 years...over 300 in the last year since an earthquake cracked the foundation and they got into the walls.  The bites look like whitehead pimples surrounded by either red skin or bruising. Some have a hard white core that I will squeeze or pop out, then clear liquid will come out, then I put either bag balm or a baking soda paste on it (any drawing agent you have) cover with cotton or tissue, then put either surgical tape or even duct tape over the cotton so the air is cut off and the salve can then draw the toxins into the cotton. (can take a day or more) after that I use essential lavender oil or peppermint oil on it and it heals up pretty quick.  Letting the toxins remain inside and doing nothing is detrimental...try to extract the toxins ASAP...using a drawing agent is the best possible defense, and essential oils are great for healing after the toxins are out...especially if you live in Alaska and its a long way to the doctor!  (and the fact that many doctors do not know how to treat spider bites)

[johnstonmomma]

My son has a large pimple like bump on the back of his leg. The surrounding skin is red, could this be an insect bite? He said that it doesn't really hurt, but I am concerned with that redness surrounding that area.

[fay88]

Help I have the same type of bite white heads with red skin around...they are definitely bites and im at loss what to do. they keep on appearing each day like 1....ive washed everything etc but they stilll appear. i have been putting bite cream on which slowly gets rid of them leaving a drak blue patch/scar? I dont know what they are and they're scarring my legs.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but it sounds like folliculitis .Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin.It 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).

Pls 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.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.

Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have additional queries. Kind regards.