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Have Rounds Of Purple Spots On Buttock That Open Up. What Are They?

Posted on Sat, 7 Jul 2012

Question: I have 5 or 6 round purple spots on buttock that open up

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Krishna (39 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing in.
The pic is clear. I appreciate that.

Please answer the following questions so that I get a better insight into your problem.

1. For How long do you have these lesions?
2. Can you feel a lump underneath?
3. are the lesions itchy or painful?
4. Do you get pus discharge from the lesions?

I understand that you are worried about your problem and want a quick explanation but it is important for me to get a better understanding of your problem so that I can suggest you better.

Awaiting your response

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Gaurang Krishna (9 minutes later)

I have had this for 5 days. It doesn't get better and it doesn't get worse. Stays just about the same. I feel no lump. They do not itch, nor are they painful. I did notice that, shortly after first discovering this, I used the bathroom, and I found a bug in the toilet. My husband said that the bug was a sweat bee. But there has been no pain.

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Krishna (15 hours later)

Hello,

The rash may be of Herpes Zoster, but not experiencing any pain is unusual.

Do you remember getting Chicken Pox ever?

I think it is best to consult a dermatologist personally.

Treatment with acyclovir/valacyclovir tablets will help in faster resolution of the lesions.

Just to tell you more about herpes zoster- it is an infection caused by the same virus which causes chicken pox. The virus stays in a state of dormancy in the body and gets reactivated at some point in life to form Herpes Zoster.

This is a self limiting condition and heals in 10-14 days. Appropriate treatment if started early (preferably within 48-72hrs) reduces the period of resolution.
SOmetimes, it may be associated with pain (particularly in old age), which if persistent or severe, warrants long term therapy.

These medications are only available by prescription.

I hope I have answered your query.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask me.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Gaurang Krishna (7 hours later)

Hello, and thank you for getting back to me. Just to let you know. I did start using black salve, or drawing salve on it the day before yesterday. As of last night, the purple had turned to red, and most of these are opening up. Does that sound like a sign that they are healing? Also, if this is herpes zoster, will it go away without treatment?

Also, I looked up the symptoms, but I have absolutely no pain and no itching? Could it still be shingles? Or could it be stings from the sweat bee?

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Krishna (14 hours later)

Hello,
As I mentioned earlier, the morphology is highly suggestive of shingles but absence of pain or burning is unusual.

This is certainly not an insect bite.

Shingles subside on its own. However, treatment if started early cuts short the time of healing.

OPening up of lesions occurs in the natural course of this problem and is a sign of healing.
You just have to keep the area clean so that secondary infection does not set in.

Thanks

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar