Small lump in the skin of the head

Hi, I found recently that I have a small lump in the skin on the head. It's under the hair and it's very small, I discovered it recently because of the tenderness it was causing when I touched it. At the beginning, it was pink and a little bit sensitive, but now it has the same color as skin and I don't feel any pain. I can still find it with my fingers. I'm worried what it could be, does somebody know?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

This kind of bump can be a swollen lymph node,a sebaceous cyst or a boil. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection along with other numerous causes.Treatment is usually cold compresses,over the counter anti-inflammatory analgesics(pain killers) like acetaminophen or ibuprofen,antibiotics if cause of infection is suspected to be a bacteria and surgical drainage if there is any abscess formation.

Sebaceous cyst is a closed sac or cyst below the surface of the skin and fills with a fatty white, semi-solid material called sebum produced by sebaceous glands of the epidermis.It is usually painless but can become painful if infected.Then antibiotics are needed.

Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle be staph aureus.Treatment includes antibiotics and warm compresses.

Apply warm compresses on the swelling and if the symptoms persist then pls get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted.