One Inch Round Swollen Area On Scalp

[paczki]

I am a 33 year old white female who is almost over a sinus infection, cold or allergy. About three nights ago I discovered about a one inch roundish swollen slightly railsed area on my scalp (located about 2 inches above my hair line at my neck and about 3 inches back from my ear). This is an area that is totally covered by my hair. I went to an urgent care clinic and the Doctor told me it was not a lymphatic gland because it is not in an area where there is a lymph gland. She said it was most likely a cyst and not related to my nasal drainage and not to worry about it. She put me on amoxicillin for my sinus drainage. Could a cyst of that size (about one inch) come very quickly, almost acute? I did not notice it earlier in the day and I know it wasn't there the day before. It feels a bit swollen when I touch it. Otherwise physically I feel great and the sinus drainage is completely gone. What could this be? Would something malignant come that acutely? If it's still there in a few weeks would there be any harm in me getting my hair routinely dyed? I am very worried about this. Should I be?

[chellybeans]

it does sound like a cyst. they are more of a nuisance than anything. yes they can arise quickly, no hair dye won't hurt it. it is an infection in a sebaceous gland usually. your dermatologist can inject medicine into it to cause it to collapse on itself and go away or you can opt to have it excised, which will cause a small wound and maybe 2-3 stitches, which would interfere with your hair dying.

they do tend to resolve themselves often, especially since you are on antibiotics.

[paczki]

Are these cysts often tender to the touch?  Mine is...  Thanks for your response because I get quite nervous about these types of things!!

[chellybeans]

absolutely. they can be down right painful. think of it as a big nasty pimple that is under the skin. that's a pretty good analogy. it hurts and if it were not under the hair, it would be ugly, but it's okay.

sometimes they can even drain, which can be quite yucky and may smell like rotten cottage cheese(only know that distinct smell from working with a dermatologist who loved to open them up and drain them)

try not to pick at it. that will make it worse.

[paczki]

thanks chelly!  mine seems rather "flat" and has no "head" on it as a pimple does...  it is about the size of a quarter...  does this still sound like a cyst?  I am a hypocondriac!!  i also don't have any health insurance and only went to an urgent care clinic.  how often do they clear up on their own?  i called the office this morning and siad the amoxicillin was making me sick and i asked for keflex instead.  i heard that keflex is more for skin infections then amoxicillin.  

[chellybeans]

either is fine as far as the antibiotic. and not all pimples get a head. a cyst is an infection just like a pimple.they do stay flat, and can even move around a tiny bit if you push the edges(which you should not) it should go away just fine on it's own. just keep your fingers off it and give it time. if it is still hurting down the road(weeks to month) you'll need to save up and call a dermatologist or even a general practitioner, tell them you are paying cash( alot discount rates for the uninsured) and get seen.

cysts are nothing more than a pain in the butt, or head in your case.

[paczki]

well, it doesn't really 'hurt'...  it is just tender if i touch it.  if it doesn't go away would it be ok to just "live with it" and not have it removed (as long as it doesn't bother me too much)?  

[dreasmzuik]

I have just recently found thisVERY sore spot on the top of my head. It has been 3 weeks  and it is getting worse, my doctor found nothing, and I am scared. it sometimes aches and feels tingly, what is this?! My doctor doesn't know and I am really scared, it is spreading across the top of my head, it feels as though someone hit me with a bat on the top of the head, like there should be a deep cut, but there is nothing, no lump, nothing....I am healthy, no sinus problems, nothing. what could this be, it started with very sharp ear pains then spread across my head and now I can't really touch the spot, I'm scared!!!