itchy red spots

[Brandom]

Two days ago I broke out in a rash of some sort all over my pubic hair region, my legs inside and on the back, my butt, in my pelvic area, under my arm and around my breasts.  They started as small red dots and grew to look like pimples or blisters.  They itch and are also painful.  This is the second time I have broken out like this in my pelvic, thigh, and butt region.  Two months ago I had the same thing happen.  My OBGYN diagnosed me with Folliculits but was unsure what it was and gave me a Doxycycline which made them go away.  However I went to my internist today and he was also unsure but said they were blisters and thought I may have a reaction of some type.  He said it was definitely not Staph which my OBGYN thought last time as these bumps are not puss filled but rather filled with a thin liquid.  However some are don't seem filled with anything.  He prescibed me a steroid and Zyrtec.  Do you have any idea what this may be?  Could it be hormonal ( I started my period the day I broke out)?  Or is it caused by stressed?  I fear this may return after it goes away as this is the second time for this to happen.  Also, I haven't shaved recently so it's not razor burn and  I don't think it could be any STD b/c I am married and have never had sex with anyone else.  Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

One possibility that also needs evaluation is herpes. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear 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. Herpes simplex is most easily transmitted by direct contact with a lesion or the body fluid of an infected individual. Transmission may also occur through skin-to-skin contact during periods of asymptomatic shedding.

The only way of ruling it out is by getting yourself tested for genital herpes. Laboratory tests include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get it ruled out.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.

[Brandom]

Thank you for your response.  I do hope the steriod works.  I had my first dose of 6 yesterday and today it doesn't look too much better but it still needs some time to work I'm sure.  If it is folliculits will the steriod make it go away or do I need anitbiotics as well?  It has now spread to my inside my vaginal lips and burns when I pee.  I have been tested for HPV and it was negative.  So I don't think it would be genital warts.  Since it has appeared there could that also be folliculitis?  My Dr. said folliculitis looks more like puss filled sores like pimples and mine are blister type sores.  Personally I can't tell.  They look like a cross between pimples and blisters.    Thanks for any additional imput you have.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be due to folliculitis,heat rashes,contact dermatitis,sweat dermatitis or eczema.From the picture it looks more like folliculitis.

Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin.

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) but sometimes it does not happen.

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. The treatment that you have been prescribed(Zyrtec and steroid)will help you a lot.You may however apply calamine lotion on the rashes along with the prescribed treatment.If the symptoms persist then skin infection due to fungus or bacteria has to be ruled out.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.