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Dermatology Community
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Lump/Bump on Side of Neck
by EricHPowell, Jul 25, 2008 05:09PM
Hello,
Roughly a year ago a noticed a small lump on the side of my neck (about 4 in. below the ear). It is firm and the skin above it is has a normal coloring and texture and there are a couple hairs which grow from it. I once even had a pimple develop over it, likely from me toucing/plucking at the hairs. Since I first noticed it, I feel like I have noticed grown some and then retreat a bit, (but that could just have coincided with my irritating it).
Feeling below the skin, it seems that the entire mass is a bit smaller than a pea, but since it is beneath the skin, it only protrudes slightly. It is not painful even in the slightest bit.
I have done some research on it and it seems that it could be a dermoid cyst (aka cystic teratoma). Wikipedia describes this as having mature skin covering, sometimes with hair follicles and sweat glands; sounds a lot like mine. The one thing which isn't consistent with their description is that they say it usually occurs down the center line of the body.
I was just wondering about anyone's input on this. Do these things naturally go away? Will it keep growing? It seems benign now, but is there a risk of it becoming malignant?
Roughly a year ago a noticed a small lump on the side of my neck (about 4 in. below the ear). It is firm and the skin above it is has a normal coloring and texture and there are a couple hairs which grow from it. I once even had a pimple develop over it, likely from me toucing/plucking at the hairs. Since I first noticed it, I feel like I have noticed grown some and then retreat a bit, (but that could just have coincided with my irritating it).
Feeling below the skin, it seems that the entire mass is a bit smaller than a pea, but since it is beneath the skin, it only protrudes slightly. It is not painful even in the slightest bit.
I have done some research on it and it seems that it could be a dermoid cyst (aka cystic teratoma). Wikipedia describes this as having mature skin covering, sometimes with hair follicles and sweat glands; sounds a lot like mine. The one thing which isn't consistent with their description is that they say it usually occurs down the center line of the body.
I was just wondering about anyone's input on this. Do these things naturally go away? Will it keep growing? It seems benign now, but is there a risk of it becoming malignant?
Post Comment
It appears that the bump that you haev may be one of two things. this could be a old pimple which has since healed but still retains some of the scarring undernesath the skin and felt as a bump.
On the other hand this may also be a congenital collection like in a dermaoid, just not a cystic teratoma.
Either ways, if it is benign and been the same, you probably dont need to worry. However, you may get this checked by a doctor.
Hope this helped.