Scabs
Scabs are a sign that the virus is active and is not contagious. For example, people with genital herpes may have scabs on their genitals or anus at the site of infection. Scabs can also appear on other body parts, such as the thighs, buttocks, or lower back. They’re usually red or purple and can be either tiny or large.
They might also notice little white heads or pus-filled blisters clustered around an area with an infected scab. These occur when a cluster of highly sensitive nerve endings has been damaged by HSV-1 or 2 (the two strains of herpes simplex virus). Scabbing occurs when the skin tries to heal itself following infection by laying down new cells over top of old ones, but it only works if there’s enough moisture in the area for that process to occur.
