pimple boil or herpes

[andy950]

Dear Dr Rockoff

I have had a pimple or boil developing on my lower left buttock for about 10 days. At first it was a red spot, the size of a medium-sized mole. After about a week this became raised, as if there were inflammation underneath (as with some type of insect bite) and burst, revealing a small raised crater of what seemed to be yellow liquid. This was painful briefly but the pain quickly went away when aloe vera was applied. The sore quickly (within 24 hours) healed over to be a red spot again, with a very small hole at the centre. After one more day this began to protrude a little (now looking more like a boil than an insect bite)  and the small hole at the centre appeared to be filled with a white substance. The spot did not itch not was it painful (except at the moment when it burst, as described above).

Does any of the above suggest herpes rather than a boil or bite?


PS   I have tested negative for herpes but as no test is 100% please disregard this in your answer

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

No, t doesn't sound like herpes at all.  It sounds like a boil that lanced itself.  I suggest that you just let the body reabsorb the lump under the skin.  If it starts to swell again and hurt, you should see a doctor about it.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[andy950]

Many thanks for your answer. It was the combination of red spot and then yellow liquid that scared me that it might be herpes - I take it that was a wrong assumption?