Brief Answer:
Looks to be a sebaceous cyst with recurrent infection..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for your query, an elucidate history and pictures.

To recapitulate:
The lump is at the left forearm below the elbow joint for 6 years- small ball - at times swells up with slight discomfort - now- swollen up, reddish, itchy and hot skin above it- tenderness + ...

Since its there for 6 years, its position under the skin and typical history is suggestive of this most probably being a sebaceous cyst.
Lipoma does not exhibit the symptoms that you have now.

I would advise the following with reasoning:
This should be excised
The reasons being
1. it is getting recurrent attacks of infection
2. it is on the pressure / friction area
3. you get rid of the disease and
4. get a final diagnosis by getting histo-pathology report.

Consult a Surgeon and get this removed,.

I hope this answer helps you to get a proper direction for diagnosis and definitive treatment. Please feel free to ask for more if you need to.

---

Brief Answer:
Blockage of the duct / medicines / Surgery for cure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Nice to know that you want the details and I will try my best to explain in as simple words as possible.

This is most probably a sebaceous cyst. It appears due to blockage of the sebaceous gland of the skin, which gives sebum for lubricating the skin. Due to blockage of the duct, the material remains inside and forms a cyst with a true lining. This remains under the skin to present as a cyst.

On minor inflammation it becomes red and enlarged to cause the symptoms of redness, itching, tenderness. Usually the body takes care of and this becomes normal again till next episode of inflammation. Rarely the bacteria can cause pus formation and then the abscess forms.

The Worry:
Your swelling at the friction part of the body (forearm) which will be in contact with the table, armrest and bed etc.
By thumb-rule such swelling should be excised.

Your symptoms can be reduced by taking a course of an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen. With this the itching will automatically get reduced and you are already taking cetirizine.

I hope this helps.
You may please ask for more if you need to and may rate this answer before closing the thread.

Thanks you.

---

Brief Answer:
Thanks for appreciation...

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome and I'm happy to know that these answers helped you.
Please continue the treatment and possibly get it removed as your history is since 2008. Better to get removed to avoid further complications of abscess formation.

You may please rate this answer before closing the discussion.
Thanks again and
Wish you too a great day ahead.

---