Herpes

If you see a rash on your body, it might be hard to tell if it's monkeypox or something else. Dermatologist Dr. Cuong Le shares how to tell the difference.

Dermatology Partners Centerville](https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/locations/virginia/centreville/13880-braddock-rd-ste-301/). [acne](https://www.healthdigest.com/859701/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-acne/) is that it can present as comedones, which are blackheads or whiteheads, pustules, or cystic nodules," Le said. [Other symptoms of monkeypox](https://www.healthdigest.com/959692/new-monkeypox-symptoms-you-should-be-aware-of/) include headache, swollen lymph nodes, or respiratory issues. Cuong Le, Board Certified Dermatologist [here](https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/provider/cuong-le-do/). [Monkeypox is characterized](https://www.healthdigest.com/877246/monkeypox-explained-everything-you-need-to-know/) by a rash in the genital areas, but the rash can also appear on other parts of the body. Although the current monkeypox variant is mild, your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication for severe cases. Patients can present with prodromal symptoms such as tingling or burning before the rash appears." [reached a peak at the end of July](https://www.healthdigest.com/988036/how-monkeypox-cases-have-risen-in-the-united-states/), the seven-day moving average of daily cases is at 68 as of October 5, according to the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/mpx-trends.html). Le added that the varying stages of the monkeypox rash can easily be confused with acne, ingrown hairs, or herpes. Le suggests seeing a board-certified dermatologist or healthcare professional if you developed a new lesion after being sexually active. Although most of the monkeypox cases involve men having sex with men, Le said other people having these symptoms should see a doctor. [Ingrown hairs](https://www.healthdigest.com/621520/this-is-what-really-causes-ingrown-hairs/) might appear in the genital areas, Le said, so they can be easily confused with monkeypox.