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Small red spots all over body. BACTERIAL INFECTION?

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Recently I have started having these small red spots appear on my body. Usually around my lower back and upper thighs as well as on my buttocks.
The start as small red spots and then turn to what look like blisters that have been popped.
I have been using antibacterial wash and cream which seems to help for a small while but then new one appear.

I have been to two different doctors which both gave me different answers. The first said it was a bacterial problem, which is why I have been using the bacterial cream. The other said it was just a heat rash and also did a swab test which came back saying the bacteria was normal.

I spend the day in an office chair and I also go to the gym and running outdoors regularly.
Its getting to the point where the are hurting my self esteem and I just want them to be gone already.

The pictures I have uploaded arent top notch but they are the best I could do at the present.

Please help!

Category: Dermatologist

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Category: Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon
 26 Doctors Online

Hello

Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com

I can understand your concern.

I know you mentioned that the photos aren't top notch but I will still need a few clearer photos than this if possible.

I want to rule out what we call Vesiculobullous disorder where one gets blisters spontaneously. There are many varieties, a biopsy is needed to confirm the variety.

However, I need to see it clinically to be sure if I can call it that. Hence the need for a clearer picture before I confirm the diagnosis.

Feel free to discuss further,
Regards,


Patient replied :

Hi,
Thanks for your answer.
The blisters appear in a different place each time and the are usually only small.
I have attached another picture. Hopefully this one is clearer for you.

Thanks.


Hello,

Thanks for your reply.

From the picture, it does seem to be a bacterial infection. It's called furunculosis. It doesn't seem to be a heat rash. Since its recurrent it's muddy likely that you are harboring these bacteria in the body folds.


The treatment for it would be application of mupirocin cream twice a day for a week every month for six months in the body folds like underarms , groins, natal cleft , nostrils.
This will help to resolve the problem.
Feel free to discuss further,

Take care


Patient replied :

Hi,

I have googled furunculosis and from the pictures I have seen, even the minor cases, it looks nothing like it. There has never been a head that has formed or any sort of swelling.
It just looks like a small pimple that has been picked and has scabbed over.
I have attached some more pictures because it looks as though it is healing up. It usually begins to heal and then another one will pop up in a different place but still in the similar area of the body.


Hello,

Thanks for your reply.

I am sorry about that but on the photos it did look like furunculosis.

However, I had a look at the pictures again and another possible diagnosis could be
pityriasis rosea which is a viral infection. You could check out the pictures for that.

It's a viral infection affecting the skin. The course usually lasts for 4 to 6 weeks. It doesn't require any treatment and resolves spontaneously. So you should not worry.

I'll be glad to answer further queries,
Regards.


Patient replied :

Hi,

I can see how it could look similar to pityriasis rosea but after doing some research on this infection, I am still unsure if that is what it is.
There are no rashes on my body. There is probably a total of 5 red spots on my body, all about the size of a pea in different locations and are circular in size.
I have had these spots appearing over my body for the past 6-8 weeks. They appear and then become 'raw', scab and then disappear. At no point has my body been covered in any blisters or rashes. They are all localised.
The previous research I have come across on the internet about it is that it sounds similar to an extremely mild version of staph. The differences I am finding is that my spots never grow to a head, dont spread over the body as much and arent as big in size.

Thanks


Hello.
Thanks for your reply.

Furunculosis, which I mentioned earlier is what is caused by Staphylococcus.


The severity varies from person to person. I would recommend the application of Mupirocin cream as advised earlier. This should get rid of them.


Take care.


Dr. Kruti Jobanputra Banodkar
Category: Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon
Experience: 
Diploma in Dermatology - Royal College Of Physicians & Surgeons Of Glasgow, UK , 2010
Residency - DNB, Dermatology -  K.J Somaiya Hospital, Mumbai, 2009
Medical School & Internship - MBBS - Dr. D . Y . Patil Medical College, Mumbai, 2004
Dr. Kruti Jobanputra Banodkar and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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