puma or skull tumor?

I have a growth on my head that has been there for about a year. I mentioned it to my kidney doctor and she said I shouldn't worry about it because it was a "puma". She never looked at it and so I didn't worry. Now it is beginning to bother me. It itches a little and appears to be growing a little. I have never heard of a puma. I have been postponing making an appointment with a doctor to look at it. What do you suggest?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Unfortunately I have never heard of Puma on a scalp. From what you have described, it can be an infected hair follicle, cyst , pilar cyst or some benign growth of the scalp. Pilar cysts manifest as smooth, mobile, asymptomatic swellings, often in the scalp. Overlying hair loss may be noted. The definitive treatment is surgical excision of the cyst. My sincere advice would be to consult a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.