What are these red bumps?

For the last month or so I have noticed I have odd bumps (looking like red warts or water blisters) on my lower stomach (pubic region). Now I've had a steady girlfriend for a year and before that I had one for 4 years. I've only been with 4 people total in my life two of which were vigins first.

Anyway. I read up on herpes and other STDs but I dont have any of the symptoms. They dont go away and comeback, they dont itch, they dont seem to be spreading or growing and I dont have any on my penis or balls.

I dont have insurance so I dont want to go to a doctor unless I KNOW what it is or could be. Then I'll go. Can you please give me a clue as to what it is?

 

Our answer...

Thanks for writing. We share your concern.

Without actually seeing the bumps, we can only venture a guess that they are probably what are called cherry angiomas, benign tumors of the skin that are very common. Typically cherry angiomas develop in early adulthood and can increase in number as we get older. In addition, these red bumps usually develop on the trunk but can appear just about anywhere on the body. When you press down on them, they do not blanch or turn white.

If this is the case, cherry angiomas are not sexually transmitted nor are they cancerous. They are caused by the overgrowth or dilation (opening) of small capillaries near the skin and are perfectly normal.

However, you may want to have your doctor take a look at them just to be sure. Your doctor can remove them with an electric needle or laser. If you don't have insurance, contact your local health department to see if there is a clinic near you that could take a look and be completely sure of the diagnosis.

Additional pictures of cherry angiomas can be found by clicking here.

More information on cherry angiomas can be found by clicking here.

Hope this helps.

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