bump on skin along collar bone

I have a bump that is between the size of a dime and a nickle.  It itches sometimes and I've occasionally squeezed some yellowish secretion from it.  What is this?  Some friends have suggested it may be a pore that's letting things in, or?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it sounds like a 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.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[holdemfoldem]

It does itch sometimes but I mostly find it unsightly, covering it up when possible.  Although it does not require surgical excision, would there be a problem just having it removed for cosmetice reasons?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
You can get a sebaceous cyst removed for cosmetic reasons also.Usually sebaceous cyst is removed when it becomes painful or infected but if it is causing cosmetic embarrassment then also it can be removed.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.