Strange under-the-skin bump

Hi there.
Look, I don't have any major health issues or anything. But something is bothering me. I’m 24, and about seven months ago, this larger subcutaneous pimple popped up on my head, just above my right ear. It was visibly red, and I spent a good deal of time trying to squeeze it out, though it didn't really work. After a couple of weeks, the inflammation subsided, but there’s still this dark spot left on my scalp. You can actually feel a hard little mass under the skin—about the size of a pea, maybe even smaller. Since it hasn't gone away and it's starting to get on my nerves, I wanted to see if anyone here has dealt with something similar. Any idea what it could be? My hygiene is solid; I eat well, wash my hair regularly, all that. But I can't help wondering why it's still there or what that lump actually is. I did some digging online, and people are throwing around terms like cysts, swollen lymph nodes, and so on. Or is it probably time to just go see a dermatologist? I've noticed that because I keep touching the area, a few more of these small bumps have appeared nearby—maybe two or three. I wonder if it might be an infection. Sometimes those smaller ones get inflamed and leak a tiny bit of pus every few weeks. If anyone has dealt with this, let me know if there's a specific cream for it, or if this is, I don't know, something dangerous like a major infection or something extreme. Thanks.

It sounds like a swollen lymph node. It’s probably just some kind of infection, nothing too crazy. Depending on what it is, it should settle down in maybe a week or three. You really shouldn't have been squeezing it, though. Honestly, your best bet is to see a specialist—worst case scenario, they'll do a quick needle biopsy just to be sure what we're dealing with.

P.S. I just realized you mentioned this has been going on for seven months. In that case, it might actually be a ganglion, which is basically a small cyst. Those things happen on joints all the time and can stick around for a while.

silentorca492 said:It sounds like a swollen lymph node. It’s probably just some kind of infection, nothing too crazy. Depending on what it is, it should settle down in maybe a week or three. You really shouldn't have been squeezing it, though. Honestly, your best bet is to see a specialist—worst case scenario, they'll do a quick needle biopsy just to be sure what we're dealing with.

P.S. I just realized you mentioned this has been going on for seven months. In that case, it might actually be a ganglion, which is basically a small cyst. Those things happen on joints all the time and can stick around for a while.

And what exactly is a ganglion? Is it dangerous?

I’ve dealt with a small lump behind my ear a few times myself—it was quite tender to the touch and felt just like a tiny grain of rice under the skin. However, it always seemed to clear up pretty quickly, usually within a week or two. I actually went to see my doctor about it, and they assured me there was nothing to worry about; apparently, it was just a minor swelling of a lymph node or something similar (I can't recall the exact medical term). It wasn't anything dangerous, contagious, or even an actual illness. Based on how you described yours, it sounds like the same thing, though I must say, the fact that yours has lasted this long is a bit concerning.

If you still have a lingering spot, it’s likely due to a subcutaneous cyst; those tend to leave marks, especially if you've been trying to squeeze them out. And honestly, those kinds of spots aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Raymond Williams7 said:If you still have a lingering spot, it’s likely due to a subcutaneous cyst; those tend to leave marks, especially if you've been trying to squeeze them out. And honestly, those kinds of spots aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

To be perfectly honest, that massive subcutaneous bump bothered me so much that I actually tried poking it with a hot sewing needle. Every time I did, nothing but a tiny bit of clear fluid would leak out—just a few drops. It was more like serous fluid than anything else; never any actual pus. It’s enough to drive a person crazy. Now the inflammation has died down and there's just this small lump left, but the thing still unnerves me. It's a bit unsettling, I guess. Damn.

Tomorrow’s a workday, so I’m heading to my doctor’s office.

Nicole Harris7 said:Hi there.
Look, I don't have any major health issues or anything. But something is bothering me. I’m 24, and about seven months ago, this larger subcutaneous pimple popped up on my head, just above my right ear. It was visibly red, and I spent a good deal of time trying to squeeze it out, though it didn't really work. After a couple of weeks, the inflammation subsided, but there’s still this dark spot left on my scalp. You can actually feel a hard little mass under the skin—about the size of a pea, maybe even smaller. Since it hasn't gone away and it's starting to get on my nerves, I wanted to see if anyone here has dealt with something similar. Any idea what it could be? My hygiene is solid; I eat well, wash my hair regularly, all that. But I can't help wondering why it's still there or what that lump actually is. I did some digging online, and people are throwing around terms like cysts, swollen lymph nodes, and so on. Or is it probably time to just go see a dermatologist? I've noticed that because I keep touching the area, a few more of these small bumps have appeared nearby—maybe two or three. I wonder if it might be an infection. Sometimes those smaller ones get inflamed and leak a tiny bit of pus every few weeks. If anyone has dealt with this, let me know if there's a specific cream for it, or if this is, I don't know, something dangerous like a major infection or something extreme. Thanks.

I had the exact same thing on my neck BELOW my right ear... I had blood work done and went in for a nasal swab (I have no idea why) and they didn't find anything. I couldn't make it in for an ultrasound...

Basically, it was actually quite large, about the size of a pea, and it wouldn't squeeze out, nor did anything ever drain from it... then it disappeared. But then it would reappear—disappear, reappear (I tried to track the timing and it seemed to happen during times of high stress or when I had a sore throat, though I'm not entirely sure)—and eventually, it vanished, and it hasn't been there for over six months now... though a dark little spot remains...

Then, one time, a similar bump showed up in my armpit—and it cleared up after two or three days. My doctor told me it was just from shaving or hair removal and basically sent me out the door without a real exam... 😠

In short, I never found out for certain what that thing on my neck actually was...

Kate Cox2 said:I had the exact same thing on my neck BELOW my right ear... I had blood work done and went in for a nasal swab (I have no idea why) and they didn't find anything. I couldn't make it in for an ultrasound...

Basically, it was actually quite large, about the size of a pea, and it wouldn't squeeze out, nor did anything ever drain from it... then it disappeared. But then it would reappear—disappear, reappear (I tried to track the timing and it seemed to happen during times of high stress or when I had a sore throat, though I'm not entirely sure)—and eventually, it vanished, and it hasn't been there for over six months now... though a dark little spot remains...

Then, one time, a similar bump showed up in my armpit—and it cleared up after two or three days. My doctor told me it was just from shaving or hair removal and basically sent me out the door without a real exam... 😠

In short, I never found out for certain what that thing on my neck actually was...

See, a few weeks ago I developed this massive subcutaneous pimple in my armpit. It hurt so badly I thought I was going crazy; I even tried using a red-hot needle—patent pending, I guess—but it didn't work. It just receded after a few days. If only that bump on my head hadn't stayed behind as this irritating little knot after I tried messing with it, maybe I wouldn't be dealing with this. Who knows? Some kind of subcutaneous scar or something.

Nicole Harris7 said:See, a few weeks ago I developed this massive subcutaneous pimple in my armpit. It hurt so badly I thought I was going crazy; I even tried using a red-hot needle—patent pending, I guess—but it didn't work. It just receded after a few days. If only that bump on my head hadn't stayed behind as this irritating little knot after I tried messing with it, maybe I wouldn't be dealing with this. Who knows? Some kind of subcutaneous scar or something.

Look, kid, you got some issues, right? Like, you actually enjoy the self-harm and the cutting and all those spikes?
I mean, you've got this bump on your head, and instead of ignoring it, you decide to poke at it with a hot needle. Then it stings, so you dig around some more, but then it just catches you off guard and pulls back. Maybe the bump is just terrified of you?!

Man, it’s a shame there isn't a New Yorker around here. They’d probably know exactly how to describe you.

stormylynx4 said:Look, kid, you got some issues, right? Like, you actually enjoy the self-harm and the cutting and all those spikes?
I mean, you've got this bump on your head, and instead of ignoring it, you decide to poke at it with a hot needle. Then it stings, so you dig around some more, but then it just catches you off guard and pulls back. Maybe the bump is just terrified of you?!

Man, it’s a shame there isn't a New Yorker around here. They’d probably know exactly how to describe you.

And now you're attacking me? What, out of sudden concern for my health? Either write something useful or... well, you know the rest.

squeeze harder

That sounds exactly like a swollen lymph node, likely right under the armpit. For me, those things flare up every single time I catch a common cold, along with the ones in my neck, and they hurt like absolute hell. And listen to me: do not touch them, and for heaven's sake, do not attempt to puncture them with a needle!!!
You really ought to see a doctor just to be safe—honestly, why haven't you made an appointment already?—because we can't exactly provide a medical diagnosis through an online forum.
Furthermore, please notify your mother, or whoever you are living with, to make sure all needles are kept well out of your reach.

Nicole Harris7 said:See, a few weeks ago I developed this massive subcutaneous pimple in my armpit. It hurt so badly I thought I was going crazy; I even tried using a red-hot needle—patent pending, I guess—but it didn't work. It just receded after a few days. If only that bump on my head hadn't stayed behind as this irritating little knot after I tried messing with it, maybe I wouldn't be dealing with this. Who knows? Some kind of subcutaneous scar or something.

Yes, you likely have a scar. It might leave a red mark for a while, and eventually, it should fade, but it takes months. These kinds of marks don't disappear overnight.

Kevin Brooks11 said:squeeze harder

🤣 🤣 🤣

stormymaker24 said:That sounds exactly like a swollen lymph node, likely right under the armpit. For me, those things flare up every single time I catch a common cold, along with the ones in my neck, and they hurt like absolute hell. And listen to me: do not touch them, and for heaven's sake, do not attempt to puncture them with a needle!!!
You really ought to see a doctor just to be safe—honestly, why haven't you made an appointment already?—because we can't exactly provide a medical diagnosis through an online forum.
Furthermore, please notify your mother, or whoever you are living with, to make sure all needles are kept well out of your reach.

Haha, I'm laughing, but it's not funny. The situation is actually a bit messy because my former employer screwed me over with my paperwork; they didn't file everything on time after I left, so my health insurance coverage lapsed. So, zero points for the local doctor right now. Is there some kind of cream or something for those lumps?

Nicole Harris7 said:Haha, I'm laughing, but it's not funny. The situation is actually a bit messy because my former employer screwed me over with my paperwork; they didn't file everything on time after I left, so my health insurance coverage lapsed. So, zero points for the local doctor right now. Is there some kind of cream or something for those lumps?

Oh, come on, just leave them alone and stop picking at them—it’ll clear up on its own...

About five months ago, I noticed this little pea-sized lump under the skin on my right wrist—nothing I could squeeze out at first. Then, about three weeks back, I managed to press out a huge amount of white stuff... it looked just like a glob of Nivea Soft cream, but smelled pretty gross. Now, every few days, this little "sac" fills back up with that same gunk and I have to squeeze it out again. Yesterday, I actually squeezed out some blood too, and now there’s this inflamed, red area about an inch wide around the spot that really hurts... Any idea what this might be? Will it eventually go away?...

About three months ago, I noticed this little growth appearing on my hand, and it honestly seemed to show up overnight. It’s grown to about 5mm now, and there's this darker spot right in the center that looks somewhat like a subcutaneous wart. I’ve heard bits and pieces that this can happen, but I haven't been able to find anything definitive or clear about it online.
This "growth" feels quite firm to the touch, almost like a small bead, and it doesn't actually hurt under normal circumstances; however, whenever I accidentally bump my hand against something, the pain is absolutely excruciating—it feels as though someone is driving a nail directly into the spot. :'(

Of course, I plan to see a doctor at the very first opportunity, though I happen to be traveling in another city at the moment, so for now, I was just wondering if anyone might have some insight...
Has anyone here dealt with something similar or perhaps heard of this specific kind of thing?

Thank you.