Small white/yellow spots on chest

Hey,
for a year or 2 i've had small lumps on my chest, i didn't think much of it before but now it's gradually getting worse. They're sort of like white/yellow spots but squeezing them doesn't really work. On the rare occasion i do manage to squeeze one a thickish yellow/whitish puss will come out.

Here's a few pics:
http://img182.imageshack.us/i/dscf0932.jpg/
http://img21.imageshack.us/i/dscf0933o.jpg/
http://img182.imageshack.us/i/dscf0934.jpg/
http://img80.imageshack.us/i/dscf0939i.jpg/
http://img89.imageshack.us/i/dscf0940.jpg/
http://img89.imageshack.us/i/dscf0942.jpg/

Hope someone knows what it is.Thanks.

[jimmy_j]

Can't see how to edit my post but here's a link which has all the pics on 1 page - http://img182.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=dscf0932.jpg

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The painless lumps that you are having seem like sebaceous cyst. A sebaceous cyst is a closed sac occurring just under the skin which contains a "pasty" or "cheesy" looking substance called keratin.They may occur anywhere on body but scalp, ears, back, face, and upper arm, are common sites for sebaceous cysts. Blocked sebaceous glands, swollen hair follicles and excessive testosterone production will cause such cysts.

Generally no treatment is required but they become painful then it means they are infected, Then surgical excision by traditional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision may be required.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[jimmy_j]

Thanks for the quick reply.

When you say no treatment is required do you mean they generally go away by theirself? I've had these for a couple of years and they only seem to be getting worse. Is there any cream or antibiotics that will help or is exision the only option?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sebaceous cysts do not go away on their own but treatment is required only if they become painful, infected or cosmetically unwanted. The various treatment options have been told in the earlier post. Please discuss these treatment options with a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.