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Suggest Treatment For Lump On Back
Question: Have had a lump on my back for two years at first I thought it was a cystic zit because I am prone to them due to the fact that it itched but has been slowly growing since then. As of last week it started to swell a bit and hurts if it is poked. I think this may be because i tried to "pop" it with a sowing needle two weeks before. What I want to know is what exactly is it?
Brief Answer:
Either lipoma or sebaceous cyst, but now has some cellulitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
The location and appearance of the lump could be a lipoma or sebaceous cyst.
A lipoma is a benign fatty tumor. A sebaceous cysts is a cyst that contains or has a collection of oily material. There is a possibility that it was an infected hair follicle that got clogged, but that can just turn into a sebaceous cyst too.
But ... now it looks like the soft tissue around it is infected which is called cellulitis. Treatment for cellulitis is to apply heat, which raises the temperature of the skin, making it an unfavorable environment for the bacteria to multiply in, and also draws white blood cells to the site to help clear the infection.
You can apply hot wet compresses several times a day for a few days. But as it is on your back this may be difficult (compared to a toe, for example, that you can just hold under running water). If it is difficult or if the redness looks like it is spreading, then go to a dr. to get an antibiotic (oral). Antibiotics do not work as well in the skin as they do in a place like the lungs because they don't get in to the skin well. But two good antibiotics for this purpose are Dicloxicillin and Keflex.
If you use a heating pad, be very careful to not burn your skin! Don't go to sleep with it on.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Either lipoma or sebaceous cyst, but now has some cellulitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
The location and appearance of the lump could be a lipoma or sebaceous cyst.
A lipoma is a benign fatty tumor. A sebaceous cysts is a cyst that contains or has a collection of oily material. There is a possibility that it was an infected hair follicle that got clogged, but that can just turn into a sebaceous cyst too.
But ... now it looks like the soft tissue around it is infected which is called cellulitis. Treatment for cellulitis is to apply heat, which raises the temperature of the skin, making it an unfavorable environment for the bacteria to multiply in, and also draws white blood cells to the site to help clear the infection.
You can apply hot wet compresses several times a day for a few days. But as it is on your back this may be difficult (compared to a toe, for example, that you can just hold under running water). If it is difficult or if the redness looks like it is spreading, then go to a dr. to get an antibiotic (oral). Antibiotics do not work as well in the skin as they do in a place like the lungs because they don't get in to the skin well. But two good antibiotics for this purpose are Dicloxicillin and Keflex.
If you use a heating pad, be very careful to not burn your skin! Don't go to sleep with it on.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
it has grown exponentially since it got infected though, from the size of a pea to the size of a grape. Is that normal as well?
Brief Answer:
May have an access
Detailed Answer:
A lipoma grows very slowly and a sebaceous cyst would not grow exponentially. But if there is an access (a pocket of infection) in addition to the cellulitis (skin infection), then it would be best to go in to a doctor for incision and drainage. This will allow the pus to escape and not reform.
May have an access
Detailed Answer:
A lipoma grows very slowly and a sebaceous cyst would not grow exponentially. But if there is an access (a pocket of infection) in addition to the cellulitis (skin infection), then it would be best to go in to a doctor for incision and drainage. This will allow the pus to escape and not reform.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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